StemCell Therapy

Steven Holcomb, the longtime USbobsledding star who wonthree Olympic medals after beating a disease that nearly robbed him of his eyesight, was found dead in Lake Placid, New York, on Saturday at the age of 37.

The USOlympic Committee and USA Bobsled and Skeleton announced his death, the cause of which remains unclear. However, officials said there were no immediate indications of foul play. An autopsy was tentatively scheduled for Sunday.

The native of Park City, Utah, was a three-time Olympian, and his signature moment came at the 2010 Vancouver Games when he piloted his four-man sled to a win that snapped a 62-year drought for the US in bobsled's signature race.

"It would be easy to focus on the loss in terms of his Olympic medals and enormous athletic contributions to the organisation, but USA Bobsled and Skeleton is a family and right now we are trying to come to grips with the loss of our teammate, our brother and our friend," said Darrin Steele, the federation's CEO who had known Holcomb for two decades.

Holcomb also won bronze medals in both two- and four-man events at the Sochi Games in 2014, and was expected to be part of the 2018 USOlympic team headed to the Pyeongchang Games.

He was also a former world champion in both two-man and four-man competition.

"The entire Olympic family is shocked and saddened by the incredibly tragic loss today of Steven Holcomb," USOlympic Committee CEO Scott Blackmun said. "Steve was a tremendous athlete and even better person, and his perseverance and achievements were an inspiration to us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve's family and the entire bobsledding community."

Read more here:
US Olympic bobsledder Steven Holcomb, a three-time medalist, found dead at 37 - Telegraph.co.uk

A new study has shown a staggering number of Brits are shunning eye tests.

Worryingly, as many as 10million Brits could lose their eyesight, experts have warned.

One in six adults dont bother to attend appointments to have their vision checked, the Mirror reports.

And, as such, Brits risk making their eye health worse than it needs to be.

Incredibly, half of all patients who are seen first time by an optometrist need some sort of vision correction.

But, according to the report, 24 per cent of people dont go to eye tests because they dont like the idea of wearing glasses.

While a quarter think wearing glasses will actually make their eyesight worse.

The Vision of Britain report was commissioned by Optegra Eye Health Care , studied 2,000 people.

Dr Clare ODonnell, Head of Optegra Eye Sciences and registered optometrist, commented: Without regular eye examinations, problems are being left undiagnosed and untreated which can lead to serious vision damage.

It is vital for everyone to have regular eye checks, even if they suspect nothing is wrong with their eye sight. By giving up just 20-30 minutes of your time once every two years, you can potentially save your vision.

The study shows that, despite shying away from eye tests, 82 per cent of people would love to have perfect 20:20 vision and more than half value their eyesight above any other sense.

But many dont bother to make the necessary appointments and, as such, conditions such as cataracts treatable if diagnosed are being detected late.

Other conditions which can potentially cause blindness if left untreated are age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

But just 38 per cent of British adults have their eyes tested every two years, and only 46 per cent of those who already wear glasses continue to get regular checks.

Only a third of people have annual eye tests.

Mr. Robert Morris, Consultant Eye Surgeon and Medical Director at Optegra Eye Health Care, says: There are serious eye conditions such as a retinal tear that a patient could easily have no idea they are living with but which do need to have immediate, emergency surgery. If left too late many conditions can only be treated to keep the condition under control, rather than attempt to cure it.

Dr ODonnell concludes: Every day 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight and two million people live with significant sight loss. Vision is such a precious sense, a simple, regular eye test can prevent eye diseases and future worry, missing out simply isnt worth the risk.

Regular eye tests

Wear sunglasses for UV protection

Do not smoke

Safe use of contact lenses

Protect eyes with safety glasses

See the original post here:
Why millions of Brits are risking losing their eyesight - Birmingham Mail

TUPELO Vision is the mission for Lions Clubs in Tupelo and around Northeast Mississippi.

The clubs collect used glasses, conduct vision screenings and raise funds to help the needy with eye exams and glasses.

To be able to help people find a pair of glasses, they light up, said Jim Bush, president of the Tupelo Lions Club that meets at noon Tuesdays at New China Buffet. Its worth every minute of the time we put in.

The international civic club, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, traces its focus on vision issues back to Helen Keller.

She challenged them to be knights of the blind, said Terry Everett, who as district governor, represents the 54 Lions Clubs in the north half of Mississippi.

While the Lions Clubs are known for support of its All-State Band and disaster relief efforts, vision remains the heart of their efforts.

They stop us all the time to thank us for what we do, said Keith Gillespie, president of the Oxford Lions Club, which meets at noon Tuesdays at the University Club. We do whats good for the community.

To support the vision efforts, the local clubs host golf tournaments, sell pecans and cheese and collect change. Local optometrists and eye centers assist the Lions Clubs with discounted rates.

Weve had a good response from the community, said Gary Shaw, who is the current treasurer for the Tupelo Lions Club that meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at Lawndale Presbyterian.

The lunch Tupelo Lions Club averages about $8,000 a year on glasses and eye exams, averaging about 10 exams and glasses a month, said treasurer Lewis Touchstone. In 2016, the club was also able to help with three cataract surgeries and six sets of hearing aids

The smaller evening club in Tupelo covers about 10 pairs a year, Shaw said.

The Oxford club averages two or three pairs a month, Gillespie said.

For some, the access to an eye exam and glasses gives them back their livelihood.

Ive had calls from people who had to be out of work because of an accident. Their glasses were damaged in the accident but they had to have an eye exam to return to work, said Cheri Nipp, a member of the Tupelo Lions Club. No job for weeks and medical expenses creates a huge problem with paying for an eye exam and replacement glasses. Lions Club (came) to the rescue.

Theres room for more people to join the effort to help people see more clearly.

Were are looking for new members, Bush said.

For more information, contact Bush at (601) 672-1297, Shaw at (662) 871-6020 or Gillespie at (662) 832-1350.

Read more:
Clear vision: Lions keep sight on service in Northeast Mississippi - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Madison (WKOW) --Everywhere you turn, people are constantly looking at a screen.

Most of my day is consistent of somehow being on an electronic device, said Sydney McCourt.

Whether its a computer, tablet or cell phone, according to doctors, our daily usage could negatively affect our eye health.

Most of us spend at least 7 hours a day on a computer. That results in headaches, eye strain, even dry eyes for many individuals, said Dr. Timothy Wilson.

Doctor Wilson is an optometrist atIsthmus Eye Care. He saysComputer Vision Syndrome(CVS) is something that affects countless Americans.

Many times they just dont understand why these things are taking place, said Wilson. They never link their day to day life with much screen time and symptoms.

Sydney McCourt is a sophomore at UW Madison. As the semester comes to an end, shes spending more and more time in front of a screen.

Usually my eyes will grow tires, blurry vision after looking at the screen for a while, said McCourt. If youre in a dark place looking at a bright screen, that can cause some tension in your eyes.

According to theWisconsin Optometric Association(WOA), fifty-eight percent of American adults report experiencing eye strain or vision problems as a direct result of using technology, including; computers, tablets, smartphones and other digital devices.

My eyes get really dry, so by the end of the day which is around 4:00 p.m. from classes I have to go home and take out my contacts and put on glasses, said Adam Schmidt, UW Madison Junior.

To avoid Computer Vision Syndrome, WOA members recommend practicing the 20-20-20 rule when using digital devices for an extended period of time. Users should take a 20 second break during every 20 minutes of device use and look 20 feet away.

The biggest thing with Computer Vision Syndrome is peoples quality of life, said Dr. David Nelson. At the end of the day, they come home and are to tired to participate in events with their families.

As the current president of the WOA, Dr. David Nelson says people blink 75 percent less when sitting in front of a computer screen because they become so engrossed with what theyre doing that they forget to blink.

Keeping a little bottle of artificial tears next to the computer and putting some eye drops into your eyes before they get dry and irritated is important, said Dr. Nelson.

The WOA recommends the following guidelines to prevent or reduce vision and eye health problems associated with CVS: Computer screens should be about 4-5 inches below eye level as measured from the center of the screen and held 20-28 inches away from the eyes. The most efficient viewing angle on a computer screen is slightly downward about 15 degrees.

If possible, windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. If this occurs, turn the desk or computer to prevent glare on the screen. Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match that of the computer screen.

Both Dr. Nelson and Dr. Wilson say their seeing issues related to Computer Vision Syndrome across all age spectrums.

"Considering the dependence on computers, this is something that is going to continue, but there is help," said Dr. Wilson.

There are specialty glasses that block and filter some of the blue light that comes from computer screens. If you think you suffer from dry eyes, doctors can test the quality of your tears to find out if you have Dry Eye Syndrome and if its linked to Computer Vision Syndrome.

When it comes to really seeing whats going on with your eyes, there is no substitute for a comprehensive, yearly eye exam by a licensed eye doctor.

"Comprehensive, yearly eye exams preserve vision and constitute the only way to accurately assess eye health, diagnose an eye disorder or disease, and determine if you need corrective lenses says Dr. Nelson.

Click hereto locate a nearby doctor of optometry.

Read the original here:
Protecting Your Eyesight: The impact digital screens have on you - WQOW TV: Eau Claire, WI NEWS18 News, Weather ... - WQOW TV News 18

An eye opening new study warns of a spike in visual impairment in preschool age kids. It predicts eyesight problems for children ages three to five will increase by 26 percent in the decades to come. The research hits home that parents need to take steps now to prevent vision issues from an early age.

3-year-old Cameron McSwain doesnt know how important outside light exposure is to his vision. But his Daddy is trying to make sure what happened to his older sister, doesnt happen to him.

Shes 7 years old and already gotta wear glasses, about blind in one eye and I dont know why, said Daniel McSwain.

The causes of early vision problems vary.

But the new study by the USC Gayle and Edward Roski Eye Institute published in JAMA Ophthalmology finds 220,000 preschool children over the next three decades will suffer from vision impairment.

Dr. Justine ODell, an Optometrist with Spartanburg Vision says shes seen an increase in children needing glasses at a younger age.

In the study the importance of it is children should be spending more time outside from the benefits of UV and how that affects the eye growth. But also less time on electronic devices and things that are upclose, she said.

Camerons Dad says he tries to limit screen time, but he didnt know the latest recommendations about how often young kids should see the eye doctor: Once before age 1, then again at age 3, and right before kindergarten.

By the way, the doctor said not only is she seeing more near-sidedness in young kids, but also dry eye, from looking at all those screens.

Spartanburg Vision is one of many offices that participates in a free program called Infantsee. Babies before age one can get a free visit to the eye doctor for their first checkup.

Kids dont usually complain about having poor vision because they dont know whats normal, said Dr. ODell.

Heres why parents really need to take this seriously. 80% of a childs learning is through the visual system, so if thats impaired it can really affect their development.

The study is helping to give parents a better vision of what they can to help their kids see all the world has to offer.

Read the rest here:
Preschoolers with vision problems to jump by 26% in 3 decades says study - WSPA.com

Quarteravoid exams as they don't like idea of wearing glasses, study reveals

ALMOST 10 million Brits could lose their eyesight by shunning regular eye tests.

A new study shows one in six adults dont bother to attend appointments to have their vision checked, and as such risk making their eye health worse than it needs to be.

Alamy

Incredibly, half of all patients who are seen first time by an optometrist need some sort of vision correction.

But, according to the report, 24 per cent of people dont go to eye tests because they dont like the idea of wearing glasses.

While a quarter think wearing glasses will actually make their eyesight worse.

The Vision of Britain report was commissioned by Optegra Eye Health Care, studied 2,000 people.

Dr Clare ODonnell, Head of Optegra Eye Sciences and registered optometrist, commented: Without regular eye examinations, problems are being left undiagnosed and untreated which can lead to serious vision damage.

It is vital for everyone to have regular eye checks, even if they suspect nothing is wrong with their eyesight. By giving up just 20-30 minutes of your time once every two years, you can potentially save your vision.

The study shows that, despite shying away from eye tests, 82 per cent of people would love to have perfect 20:20 vision and more than half value their eyesight above any other sense.

But many dont bother to make the necessary appointments and, as such, conditions such as cataracts treatable if diagnosed are being detected late.

Other conditions which can potentially cause blindness if left untreated are age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Its vital for everyone to have regular checks

But just 38 per cent of British adults have their eyes tested every two years, and only 46 per cent of those who already wear glasses continue to get regular checks.

Only a third of people have annual eye tests.

Mr. Robert Morris, Consultant Eye Surgeon and Medical Director at Optegra Eye Health Care, says: There are serious eye conditions such as a retinal tear that a patient could easily have no idea they are living with but which do need to have immediate, emergency surgery.

If left too late many conditions can only be treated to keep the condition under control, rather than attempt to cure it.

Dr ODonnell concludes: Every day 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight and two million people live with significant sight loss.

Vision is such a precious sense, a simple, regular eye test can prevent eye diseases and future worry, missing out simply isnt worth the risk.

We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368

Read the original post:
Up to 10 million Brits risk losing their eyesight by shunning regular tests - The Sun

GETTY - STOCK IMAGE

A new study shows one in six adults don't bother to attend appointments to have their vision checked, and as such risk making their eye health worse than it needs to be.

Incredibly, half of all patients who are seen first time by an optometrist need some sort of vision correction.

But, according to the report, 24 per cent of people do not go to eye tests because they do not like the idea of wearing glasses.

While a quarter think wearing glasses will actually make their eyesight worse.

The Vision of Britain report was commissioned by Optegra Eye Health Care, studied 2,000 people.

Dr Clare O'Donnell, Head of Optegra Eye Sciences and registered optometrist, commented: "Without regular eye examinations, problems are being left undiagnosed and untreated which can lead to serious vision damage.

GETTY - STOCK IMAGE

"It is vital for everyone to have regular eye checks, even if they suspect nothing is wrong with their eye sight. By giving up just 20-30 minutes of your time once every two years, you can potentially save your vision."

It is vital for everyone to have regular eye checks, even if they suspect nothing is wrong

Dr Clare O'Donnell

The study shows that, despite shying away from eye tests, 82 per cent of people would love to have perfect 20:20 vision and more than half value their eyesight above any other sense.

But many do not bother to make the necessary appointments and, as such, conditions such as cataracts - treatable if diagnosed - are being detected late.

GETTY - STOCK IMAGE

GETTY - STOCK IMAGE

Other conditions which can potentially cause blindness if left untreated are age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

But just 38 per cent of British adults have their eyes tested every two years, and only 46 per cent of those who already wear glasses continue to get regular checks.

Only a third of people have annual eye tests.

Mr. Robert Morris, Consultant Eye Surgeon and Medical Director at Optegra Eye Health Care, says: "There are serious eye conditions such as a retinal tear that a patient could easily have no idea they are living with - but which do need to have immediate, emergency surgery.

1 of 8

Ole Henriksen Ultimate Lift Eye Gel, 35 (0207 235 5000) Avoid if you have sensitive eyes because the gel can sting the first few times you apply it. Eyes do appear less puffy after a weeks use though. 6/10

"If left too late many conditions can only be treated to keep the condition under control, rather than attempt to cure it."

Dr O'Donnell concludes: "Every day 100 people in the UK start to lose their sight and two million people live with significant sight loss.

Vision is such a precious sense, a simple, regular eye test can prevent eye diseases and future worry, missing out simply isn't worth the risk."

TOP 5 WAYS TO PROTECT EYE HEALTH:

Regular eye tests

Wear sunglasses for UV protection

Do not smoke

Safe use of contact lenses

Protect eyes with safety glasses

See more here:
Millions of Brits could LOSE their eyesight because they refuse to do THIS - Express.co.uk

MADISON (WKOW) -- Everywhere you turn, people are constantly looking at a screen.

Most of my day is consistent of somehow being on an electronic device, said Sydney McCourt.

Whether its a computer, tablet or cell phone, according to doctors, our daily usage could negatively affect our eye health.

Most of us spend at least 7 hours a day on a computer. That results in headaches, eye strain, even dry eyes for many individuals, said Dr. Timothy Wilson.

Doctor Wilson is an optometrist at Isthmus Eye Care. He says Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is something that affects countless Americans.

Many times they just dont understand why these things are taking place, said Wilson. They never link their day to day life with much screen time and symptoms.

Sydney McCourt is a sophomore at UW Madison. As the semester comes to an end, shes spending more and more time in front of a screen.

Usually my eyes will grow tires, blurry vision after looking at the screen for a while, said McCourt. If youre in a dark place looking at a bright screen, that can cause some tension in your eyes.

According to theWisconsin Optometric Association(WOA), fifty-eight percent of American adults report experiencing eye strain or vision problems as a direct result of using technology, including; computers, tablets, smartphones and other digital devices.

My eyes get really dry, so by the end of the day which is around 4:00 p.m. from classes I have to go home and take out my contacts and put on glasses, said Adam Schmidt, UW Madison Junior.

To avoid Computer Vision Syndrome, WOA members recommend practicing the 20-20-20 rule when using digital devices for an extended period of time. Users should take a 20 second break during every 20 minutes of device use and look 20 feet away.

The biggest thing with Computer Vision Syndrome is peoples quality of life, said Dr. David Nelson. At the end of the day, they come home and are to tired to participate in events with their families.

As the current president of the WOA, Dr. David Nelson says people blink 75 percent less when sitting in front of a computer screen because they become so engrossed with what theyre doing that they forget to blink.

Keeping a little bottle of artificial tears next to the computer and putting some eye drops into your eyes before they get dry and irritated is important, said Dr. Nelson.

The WOA recommends the following guidelines to prevent or reduce vision and eye health problems associated with CVS: Computer screens should be about 4-5 inches below eye level as measured from the center of the screen and held 20-28 inches away from the eyes. The most efficient viewing angle on a computer screen is slightly downward about 15 degrees.

If possible, windows or other light sources should not be directly visible when sitting in front of the monitor. If this occurs, turn the desk or computer to prevent glare on the screen. Reduce the amount of lighting in the room to match that of the computer screen.

Both Dr. Nelson and Dr. Wilson say their seeing issues related to Computer Vision Syndrome across all age spectrums.

"Considering the dependence on computers, this is something that is going to continue, but there is help," said Dr. Wilson.

There are specialty glasses that block and filter some of the blue light that comes from computer screens. If you think you suffer from dry eyes, doctors can test the quality of your tears to find out if you have Dry Eye Syndrome and if its linked to Computer Vision Syndrome.

When it comes to really seeing whats going on with your eyes, there is no substitute for a comprehensive, yearly eye exam by a licensed eye doctor.

"Comprehensive, yearly eye exams preserve vision and constitute the only way to accurately assess eye health, diagnose an eye disorder or disease, and determine if you need corrective lenses says Dr. Nelson.

Click here to locate a nearby doctor of optometry.

Read more from the original source:
Protecting Your Eyesight: The impact digital screens have on you - WKOW 27: Madison, WI Breaking News, Weather ... - WKOW

Julissa Marquez, 35, gazes through her ESight headset, which has helps dramatically improve her eyesight. View Full Caption

DNAinfo/Noah Hurowitz

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT More than three years after she lost her eyesight in a brutal stabbing attack in her home, Julissa Marquez is getting her life back.

With the help of a high-tech sight aid, the 35-year-old Bed-Stuy resident who was rendered totally blind in the Dec. 2013 attack is now able to take care of tasks such as laundry, cooking, and grocery shopping, despite doctors once believing that she might never even be able to see again.

Marquez was left in total darkness in the wake of the attack, but exceeded the expectations of doctors by regaining much of her vision in her right eye. But even as her recovery raced ahead of doctors predictions, Marquez still suffered from severe blurriness and slanted vision in her left eye.

She's still legally blind, and needs a walking stick to navigate outside. But now, with the help of ESight, a sight-aid headset that uses lenses to automatically correct her eyesight, magnify her field of vision, and adjust the contrast, shes approaching 20/20 vision. That means with the deviceshes able to watch television, read, and most importantly, see her 16-year-old son clearly.

Im able to wash clothes, I can shop, when Im outside Im actually able to walk on my own, she said at a checkup Tuesday. I can help my son with homework, and take care of my bills. Believe it or not, even without the glasses I am seeing better.

At another recent checkup, Marquez managed to score 20/20 vision in one test using the headset, according to her Ronald Gentile, retina surgeon at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai who has been instrumental in Marquezs ongoing recovery.

We were shocked, he said. With the severity of her injuries, the chances of her getting to this point were less than three percent.

Even I was shocked! Marquez chimed in.

Ronald Gentile examines JulissaMarquez.

Its the latest unexpected development in a road to recovery that has included many joyful surprises.

Marquezs ordeal began on Dec. 10 when her boyfriend, Miguel Cordero, whom she had been dating for about three months, showed up at her apartment naked, confused and dazed, Marquez said. She tried to calm him down, but he became more agitated and began ranting and threatening to harm her son, who was 12 at the time, in the next room.

Marquez, who had met Cordero at church about two years prior, tried to calm him down and used her body to block him from getting to her son in the next room, but he grabbed a kitchen knife from the counter and began stabbing her repeatedly. By the time the altercation was over she had stab wounds to her head, face, neck, and thigh, and her left eye had been nearly split in two.

During the attack, Marquez cried out her forgiveness of Cordero, even as he was choking the life out of her. But before he could finish what he started, police burst into the apartment behind Marquezs pastor, whom she had called when Cordero first arrived.

Cordero eventually pleaded not guilty by reason of mental illness in 2014, and he continues to be held at a secure facility indefinitely, according to a spokesman for the Brooklyn District Attorneys office.

Marquez was grateful to be alive, but the attack left her completely blind. In the months that followed she lived in darkness, unable to see anything, even the difference between light and dark. As her son grew older, she had to feel his face for changes, feeling his first scruffs of facial hair instead of seeing it, she said.

She had to learn how to get around and get by without sight, and doctors warned her she would likely not be able to see again. But ever so gradually, as she underwent about 12 surgeries between 2013 and 2015, her sight became to return, slowly at first, and she began to pick up light and shadows once more.

The first time her bandages came off to reveal a slight improvement, she said she wept and thanked God.

Because they told me I was never going to see again, it was a beautiful surprise, she said.

By August of 2016, she was able to watch television, use her iPad, and read letters, but sight out of her left eye, which bore the brunt of the damage, was still slanted and she had to hold items close to her face in order to see them.

In October, she began using the ESight headset, which allows her to magnify objects in the distance and change the color and contrast of her field of vision, eliminating glare and maximize her vision using video screens inside the device. It made an immediate difference, she said.

Me and my son have a very strong bond, and when I was in the darkness I couldnt see how my son was growing up, trying to feel his face and imagine what he looked like, she said. Now I know that when my son gets married Ill be able to see it. When he has his children Ill be able to see them.

Now, doctors are carefully watching her progress, according to Gentile, who said much of his patients progress can be chalked up to her own perseverance.

Shes had a lot of procedures done to rehabilitate her eyesight, so now were making sure nothing happens to jeopardize her vision, he said. Shes achieving at the top percentile of patients with similar issues, and I think a lot of this has to do with her and her ability to maximize the vision she has.

Ronald Gentile and Julissa Marquez

The headset has its limitations. It takes about a minute for Marquez and her health aid, Albina Marte, to attach it, and when she moves her head Marquez said the device has a brief lag, making it so her vision doesnt track the movement of her head seamlessly.

But shes practicing walking around using the headset, and Gentile said her abilities will improve as technology advances.

Shes able to watch TV, shes able to see her son, and these are things she wasn't able to do using our conventional treatment. Without using this technology we couldnt get to that point, and I think this is just a glimpse into her future and what shes going to be able to do.

Marquez said shes looking forward to her life expanding along with her vision, including an upcoming visit to her mother in Puerto Rico.

I will be able to see fully again, she said. Little by little Im getting better.

View post:
Mom Blinded in Stabbing Nears 20/20 Vision With New Technology - DNAinfo

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- In the land of the Derby, might the one-eyed horse be king on Saturday?

That is what those associated with Patch are hoping for, as Patch, who had his left eye removed before he ever raced, attempts to become the first horse with just one eye to win the Kentucky Derby.

There have been a handful of horses that competed in the Derby while missing an eye, such as Patch, or were blind in an eye, such as 2004 Derby participant Pollard's Vision. Imperialism, who had compromised vision in his right eye, did the best of those known to have sight issues when he finished third in the 2004 Derby.

Patch is trained by Todd Pletcher, who also trained Pollard's Vision. The way the horses lost their sight differed, but Pletcher said Patch, like Pollard's Vision, does not appear to be hindered. He is especially impressed by how far Patch has progressed since he lost his eye in July after commencing training last year at age 2 and working up to a half-mile in workouts.

After the eye was removed, "I thought he'd need to be rebroken," Pletcher said. Patch was sent to the Ocala, Florida, training center run by Pletcher's father, J.J.

"He said, 'You'd never know he's lost an eye.' He sent him back to me on Sept. 27," Pletcher said of his father and his horse. "I'm amazed at how well he's adapted. I always let him know I'm coming. I'll whistle or something. I don't want to startle him. But he acts like any other horse around the barn. And in his racing and training, you can put him inside or outside, and he's comfortable. He doesn't carry his head funny.

"Most horses who have lost an eye have lost one early on and don't have to adjust. Pollard's Vision, his eye didn't function early on. When I bought him as a 2-year-old, a lot of people were afraid of that eye. It was misshapen, like a miniature eye, not fully developed."

Patch earned his way into the Derby by finishing second last time out in the Louisiana Derby. As if he didn't have enough to overcome compared to his rivals, he is the least experienced horse in this year's field, with just three starts, all since Jan. 15. If not for the setback last summer, he probably would've raced sooner and had more starts.

Just how Patch initially damaged the eye remains a mystery to Pletcher. On the morning of June 19, three days after the horse worked a half-mile at Saratoga, "we found him in his stall with the eye swollen, almost shut, heavy tearing," Pletcher said.

"There was no indication he had been cast, no scratches around the eye. We called the vet and treated him right away."

After initially being treated at the barn, Patch was sent to the Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga Springs, New York.

"They decided they couldn't save the eye," said Pletcher, who said his veterinarian, Bill Yarborough, "said it looked like there was inflammation in the globe of the eye."

"No one knows what happened," Pletcher said. "There wasn't a pathology done. It was very, very odd. I've had a lot of horses come through the barn, and this is something I'd never seen."

Cassaleria, who ran in the 1982 Kentucky Derby, might've been the most accomplished one-eyed horse ever to enter the race. He had won two stakes, including the El Camino Real Derby, prior to the Derby. His co-owner was Tom Gentry, a natural-born showman who produced T-shirts and bumper stickers promoting Cassaleria, as well as big, gold souvenir buttons that had an etching of an eye, under which was written, "Cassaleria: thine eye has seen the glory."

"You would think with only half his vision, it would be a handicap, but it wasn't for him," Darrel McHargue, who rode Cassaleria in many of his races, including the El Camino Real Derby and the Kentucky Derby, recalled last weekend.

"There was one race at Bay Meadows. He's going along very kind, sitting where I want to sit, I'm ready to ask him," McHargue said. "There's a small opening along the rail. It wasn't wide enough that I thought we should go through, but he accelerated right through that hole. He wasn't timid at all. It must have looked bigger to him than to me.

"He was never shy. He had a big heart. He was truly a courageous little horse."

Cassaleria finished 13th in the Derby. Pollard's Vision finished 17th.

The odds are against Patch in this Derby, but considering the handicap he has overcome, he has already outrun them to get here.

More here:
Patch enters Derby with one eye, high hopes - ESPN

wbur Whenever they're on the same commuter rail train, David Hill, right, meets Blair Wong on the platform at Back Bay station and walks him to Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Like this story?Sign up for Kind World's newsletter and subscribe to the podcast.

In high school back in the 1970s, Blair Wongrecalls he oftenhad trouble staying awake during physics class, but one day was different: the day he learned how light passes through a lens. Blair became obsessed with understanding how a transparent curve could focus light.

I didnt really care for the other chapters in my physics textbook in high school, Blair says, but I read the optics chapter probably about 20 times.

The lens he loved most was the human eye.

"Romantically, its the window to the soul."

Blairs passion never went away. He got his degree in opticianry, and by his early 20s, he was a practicing optician at Cambridge Eye Doctors, his dream job. It was around this time, though, that something unsettled him.

My friends and I were going to see a movie, and my friends, boom, went right to a row of seats, and I had no idea where they went, Blair says. One of my friends came back to get me and said, You can't see in here?

With his optical training, Blair sensed something was off. He ticked through all the possible reasons for his difficulty seeing in the dark, and then he remembered that his brother Bruce had mentioned something similar. Blair knew they should see a specialist.

He remembers sitting on the floor outside the doctors office, waiting for news, and then they got their diagnosis: retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative disease that slowly robs you of your eyesight. Blair and his brothers vision would cloud over and narrow more and more each year until they were completely blind.

It was devastating. I remember sleeping for [what]felt like three months, and thinking, how I was going to overcome this?

The irony wasnt lost on Blair. He who had studied the mechanics of vision was now losing his. What hit him harder was his fear that he would become a burden to any future partner. Blair was 26 and single, and for the next three years, he just didnt date.

Finally, he did meet someone, a woman named Jean who managed one of the stores of the company he worked for. From the beginning, Blair felt the two of them could talk about anything, but he dreaded telling her about his future blindness. It was early enough in the progression of his disease that Blair didnt appear to othersto have anything wrong with his eyes.

It was tough, because I knew that I was falling in love with Jean," Blair says."I do remember the night I called her and we talked about it. It was scary for us both, but she convinced me that it would be all OK.

Jean and Blair got marriedand had a son, and Blair found a way to stay in optics: He got his master's in education and became a professor. As his vision worsened, he and Jean found ways to relish the sight that remained.

She would be standing in our living room, and Id be coming home, walk into the living room, and hunt around and try to find her eyes through the tunnel of my vision. She can always tell when Im looking so, Over here! Little bit left! Shed kind of guide me over. And then when I would finally lock my eyes onto hers, wed both smile. Id say, Hi.

Blair knew each of these moments might be his last. Then one night, he sat across from Jean at the dinner table.

I looked at her, and I realized I couldnt see her features of her face anymore.

Looking into peoples eyes is what Blair misses most.

Now in his 50s, Blair has entered what he calls profound blindness. He takes the commuter rail into Boston, where he works at the New England College of Optometry and the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, and he relies on a white cane to find his way.

Blair wasnt thrilled about the cane at first, but once he had to use it, he noticed something: Complete strangers would ask to help him.

Theres the store manager who led him through snowdrifts after a blizzard; the homeless man who helped him find a shop on Boylston Street; and the woman who brought Blair through a garden he never knew existed, pausing to describe each flower for him.

Over the years, some have become regular helpers, even friends.

"I kind of bring out the best in Bostonians. I have met so many different people simply because I have a cane. Its probably hundreds, but to me it feels like thousands."

Blair gets an offer of help at least once a day. Some interactions are fleeting, others profound.

Take Deneb Scott. Deneb was 14 and struggling with high school when he helped Blair find a seat on the train. The second time they met, the two started talking.

He has this look about him that just prompts you to spill your guts out, Deneb says.

Deneb and Blair started sitting together on theirevening train rides home, and they continue to run into each other now, three years later. Deneb says those conversations gave him confidence when he needed it.

I wonder if he has a better sense of me as a person without the labor of eyesight, Deneb says.

Blair cant look people in the eye, but hes found a different window into their inner lives.

I see the goodness in people," he says."I dont know, I have this weird thought that if everybody in the world saw one another being kind to one another, it would just grow, and that's kind of what Ive seen.

Its by losing sight that he was able to see it at all.

Find Kind World on Facebook or Twitter, or email kindworld@wbur.orgto share your story.

You can alsosubscribe to the podcast.

This segment aired on May 2, 2017.

Erika Lantz iLab Associate Producer Erika Lantz is an associate producer in the iLab, where she leads WBUR's Kind World project.

More

Go here to read the rest:
Support the news - WBUR

A 5-year old peeked inside a big van. Volunteers in yellow vests welcomed her and asked her dad to stand aside, giving her a big spoon to cover one eye. As they pointed to images on an eye chart, the girl rapidly listed off apple, circle and square, stumbling with word pronunciation but seeing perfectly.

The Anacortes Lions Club provided free vision and hearing screenings to more than 130 pre-k students last week at the Anacortes School Districts Kindergarten Roundup.

Joe Kantor, an Anacortes Lion of 16 years, helped run the screenings with his wife Linda Kantor, a Lion of 10 years, and Colette Arvidson, a Lion of one year.

In their signature yellow vests, the Lions guided children through the vans four sight and hearing stations. They placed oversized headphones on small heads and played sounds of varying frequencies.

The vision portion included more than just eye charts. At the end of the screening, a Lion held up in front of each kid a portable device called a Spot Vision Screener, which provides instant feedback on astigmatisms, nearsightedness and farsightedness in left and right eyes.

The van also features a sound-proof room for advanced hearing testing for older children.

Since they personally became involved with the screenings, the Kantors have seen fewer students who need eyeglasses and hearing aids as older students, they said.

I think weve been very successful in improving hearing and vision problems, Joe Kantor said.

The particular van belongs to the Northwest Lions Foundation and serves more than 35,000 students and several thousand adults in Washington and Northern Idaho each year. The Anacortes group makes a special effort to raise the funds and volunteers to bring the van back each year, testing a total of 1,200 first, second, third, fifth and seventh graders, special needs children and pre-kindergarten students.

Its an amazing gift, said Whitney School Principal Kevin Schwartz at the Roundup.

The Lions Club International is the largest community service organization in the world with 1.4 million members.

In 1927, Helen Keller challenged the Lions to do something for the blind community. Since then, the clubs emphasis has been on improving vision and preventing blindness.

The Anacortes club has 21 dues-paying members, the smallest service club in town. Each year the club pays for eyeglasses and hearing aids for local residents who cant afford them, provides two $1,500 scholarships to Anacortes High School graduates, runs a concession program, sponsors the annual downtown Christmas Parade and more.

Lions sell 300 flags a year to local businesses to be displayed on eight flag holidays, which is the clubs major source of funding. All funds raised go toward Lions causes, and members pay administrative costs out of their dues.

Last year, the Anacortes Lions Club celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Colette Arvidson joined the Lions last year because her husband is legally blind.

Its a natural fit, Arvidson said.

Every May, the Lions host a White Cane Days drive to raise funds for cornea surgery worldwide. The club hands out small white canes to help inform the public that white canes are typically used by those who are visually impaired.

For 20 years, Lions Mike and Pat Parker of Longview have traveled around the Northwest with the van, coordinating with local Lions volunteers to adminster the screenings. After last weeks Roundup, the van headed to Yakima.

One thing we would certainty like to get is more members, because we just have too small a group, Joe Kantor said.

The Lions meet at 6:30 p.m. the second the fourth Thursdays of each month at San Juan Lanes, 2821 Commercial Ave.

The rest is here:
Lions sponsor sight-and-hearing van for students - goanacortes

Health April 30, 2017 5:00 AM ByHeather Donahoe Parade More by Heather

There are often no early warning signs for the very conditions that most threaten your eyesight, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetic eye disease, says Rachel Bishop, M.D., an ophthalmologist and researcher at the National Eye Institute. She suggests these proactive moves to keep your eyes healthy.

Have a comprehensive dilated eye exam

This is more than just a vision screening. An eye care professional places drops in each eye to dilate, or widen, the pupil. This illuminates the back of the eyes so that he or she can see signs of damage or disease.

Know your history

Eye diseases are often hereditary, so its important to know if anyone in your family has been diagnosed. This information will help determine your risk level and establish how frequently your eyes should be checked.

Eat right

Carrots are good for your eyes, but so are dark leafy greens such as spinach, kale and collard greens. Youll also want to eat plenty of fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and halibut. They deliver a good dose of omega-3 fatty acids beneficial for eye health, research shows.

Stub it out

Smoking is linked to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and optic nerve damage, all of which can cause blindness. If you need help quitting, ask your doctor.

Wear shades

Choose sunglasses that block out 99 to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB radiation.

Take a break

When using a phone, computer or any electronic screen, reduce eyestrain with the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, look away about 20 feet in front of you for 20 seconds.

Read more from the original source:
May Is Healthy Vision Month: 6 Proactive Steps for Protecting Your Peepers - Parade

A Russian television network has published a video of the attack on opposition leader Aleksei Navalny in which the face of the assailant is blurred, drawing fire from the activist who says his vision may be permanently damaged after the incident.

The video showing an unidentified man splashing a green antiseptic, known as "zelyonka," on Navalnys face first appeared on the website of Russias REN-TV network on April 28, one day after the attack.

But it only gained wider attention after the anticorruption crusader tweeted about it two days later.

Navalny suggested that the video was leaked to the Kremlin-friendly private broadcaster by authorities and accused Russia's Federal Security Service of involvement.

"They have no shame," Navalny wrote in the April 30 tweet.

In a separate post about the video on his website, Navalny wrote bitingly about the likelihood that investigators would use the video to track down the assailant.

"How nice. What do you think? Will they come to Ren-TV tomorrow to seize the video and establish how it was filmed and why the Ren-TV guys blurred out the attacker's face? Of course not," he wrote.

It was not immediately clear if the footage had also been broadcast by Ren-TV.

Earlier, on April 30, Navalny said his eye may be permanently damaged due to a chemical burn he suffered to his cornea and pupil in the April 27 attack.

He said that his doctor believes the green liquid contained another substance that may have caused the the burn.

Navalny added that he continues to apply eye drops every 15 minutes, and is receiving injections as well.

"We're fighting to ensure that the vision in the eye remains clear," Navalny said. "If it doesnt work out (and that's a possibility, alas), then Russia will have a president with a stylish white eye."

Kremlin critics are frequently targeted in guerrilla zelyonka attacks. Typically, however, these assaults do not cause permanent injuries.

Navalny on April 30 accused security services of providing information about his movements to those who have carried out attacks against him.

"I have no doubt -- and my confidence is based on facts -- that the presidential administration organized this attack," Navalny wrote.

The Kremlin has previously denied accusations by Navalny and his supporters that it is involved in efforts aimed at discrediting or intimidating him.

Navalny also made light of the incident on April 30 post, publishing a photoshopped image of himself as actor Arnold Schwarzenegger's one-eyed cyborg character in the Terminator franchise of science fiction films.

"I always said that Terminator 2 is my favorite film, so it's all my fault," he wrote.

Originally posted here:
Russian TV Network Shows Video Of Navalny Attack, Blurs Assailant's Face - RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

The Darc test enabled labelled cells to be identified up to six hours after injection.

A positive test result was significantly correlated with a diagnosis of glaucoma and later loss of vision.

The fluorescent marker, known as ANX776, was found to be safe and well-tolerated with no adverse side effects.

Chief investigator Professor Philip Bloom, from Western Eye Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, said: "Treatment is much more successful when it is begun in early stages of the disease, when sight loss is minimal.

"Our developments mean we could diagnose patients 10 years earlier than was previously possible."

The scientists believe the test may have wider applications because the nerves that help us see are essentially an extension of the brain.

Programmed cell death, or apoptosis, at the back of the eye could therefore provide an early indication of neurodegenerative disease.

The research is funded by the Wellcome Trust charity.

Bethan Hughes, from Wellcome's Innovation team, 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.

"Loss of sight as you age is an incredibly difficult disability, impacting quality of life and independence."

Continue reading here:
New glaucoma test 'means treatment can start before sight loss ... - Telegraph.co.uk

HILLTOWN >> Having a genetic degenerative eye disease that is taking away his central vision hasnt stopped Faith Christian Academy seventh-grader A. J. (Andrew) Lowe from becoming a wrestler.

Its a sport with touch more than sight, he said recently during a session with the after-school wrestling club he takes part in at Renzo Gracie PA MMA in Hilltown.

Its a contact sport, so it plays to his strengths, A. J.s mother, Julie Lowe, said.

Coach Ben Clymer and A. J.s fellow-wrestlers treat him the same as the other members of the club, Julie Lowe said.

I bark at him just like I would any other guy and compliment him just like I would any other guy, Clymer said.

Lowe has a lot of drive and focus, Clymer said, along with some advantages as a wrestler that may have come about through dealing with the vision loss a heightened sense of transitioning and keeping his balance.

Clymer said his coaching focuses not on the visual impairment, but that, Life is still good. Weve got a lot to be thankful for and God-given strengths, so well play to those and work hard.

A. J. has Stargardts disease, Julie Lowe said.

It is genetic and progressive, she said. It will degenerate until eventually he loses his central vision.

Since A. J. is one of five adopted children in the family, his genetic history is not known and its impossible to say how fast the disease will progress, she said.

He adapts amazingly well. If somebodys watching him, they wouldnt know hes legally blind, she said, but said he cannot see a lot of things around him and that his peripheral vision is stronger than his central vision.

He is learning to use a cane to help get around, she said.

A. J., who has a pet dog that is blind and was trained as a therapy dog, jokes that its the blind leading the blind when he walks with the dog, Julie Lowe said.

Asked who is leading on those walks, A. J. joked that, probably my dogs leading me, actually.

His lifeline is technology. Hes able to go to a regular school because he can do everything on his iPad and blow it up, Julie Lowe said.

When he was tested for eSight electronic glasses, he was again able to see normally, which he wasnt able to do for about the past three years, A. J. said.

The glasses re-format what the eyes should be seeing, said Scott Roltsch, president of the Perkasie Lions.

A message gets sent to his brain and he sees like he normally would, Roltsch said. Theyre phenomenal glasses, but they are expensive.

It will take $15,000 plus a trip to Ohio for fitting to get the glasses, he said.

The Perkasie Lions will make a $2,000 contribution as a matching donation, he said.

Donations may be made at http://www.giving.esighteyewear.com by scrolling through the childrens photos until you get to A.J. Lowe or by using the explore button and searching for Lowe.

With $3,205 having been donated thus far, plus the Lions $2,000 contribution, $9,795 still has to be raised, Roltsch said.

All I want is to see the world as it sees me, A. J. Lowe wrote on giving.esighteyewear.com.

To be honest with you, I dont even want eSight so I can go on some extravagant adventures or witness a special event. But, that would be a nice little added bonus, he wrote. Truthfully, I need eSight so I can again begin living life the way it was meant to be lived. I just want to be able to experience the things we all take for granted. To watch a movie with my family and friends, read a book, see the faces of all you amazing people reading this and thinking about donating, or just see my own smile again.

The Lions Club has a particular interest in vision-related matters, but that is not its only function, Roltsch said.

We like to help anybody in our community if were able, he said. Thats what were all about.

View original post here:
Perkasie Lions assisting with fundraising for electronic glasses to restore seventh-grader's eyesight - Montgomery Newspapers

Eye injuries at sports and recreation can have serious consequences, even leading to loss of sight and an end to a promising career. Of the many sports and recreation-related eye injuries that occur each year, 90 per cent are preventable through use of appropriate protective eyewear. The risk of eye injury can vary depending on the activity. Make sure the level of eye protection you or others in your family use is appropriate for the type of activity. Regular eyeglasses and contact lenses do not offer proper eye protection from injury. If you wear spectacles, the lenses should be made of polycarbonate, an especially tough, non-shattering plastic material. Contact lenses offer no protection against injury and safety glasses or goggles must be used. High-risk sports

Sports-related eye injuries occur more frequently in cricket, basketball, squash, baseball and badminton. Injury may be sustained from equipment eg the ball or from a fellow players limbs or head. In cricket and baseball a helmet with a polycarbonate face mask or wire shield should be worn especially by the wicketkeeper and batsmen. This is very important for young inexperienced players eg under-16 cricketers and when facing up to fast bowlers. Boxing and full-contact martial arts pose an extremely high risk of serious and even blinding eye injuries. There is no satisfactory eye protection for boxing, although thumbless gloves may reduce the number of boxing eye injuries. Approved eye ware should be bought from professional eye care providers. Protective eyewear with polycarbonate lenses is recommended for sports such as basketball, racquet sports, soccer and hockey. Choose eye protectors that have been tested to meet the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards or that pass the CSA racquet sports standard. If you already have reduced vision in one eye, consider the risks of injuring the stronger eye before participating in contact or racquet sports, which pose a higher risk of eye injury. Check with your ophthalmologist (Eye MD) to see if appropriate eye protection is available and whether or not participating in contact or racquet sports is advised. Other risky leisure activities

In 2008 a survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Society of Ocular Trauma showed that more than 40 per cent of patients treated for eye injuries sustained at home were involved in home repairs, yard work, cleaning and cooking. Use common sense and err on the side of caution, whatever the activity. Consider the risk of flying debris or other objects during activities and wear appropriate eye protection. Remember that eyeglasses arent sufficient protection. Be careful during activities or games involving projectiles and other sharp objects that could create injury if in contact with the eye, eg fishing. If you wear contacts or eyeglasses, pack a back-up form of vision correction during bike trips or other activities where you could lose or shatter a lens. If an eye injury occurs, see an ophthalmologist or go to the hospital emergency room immediately, even if the eye injury appears minor. Delaying medical attention can result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

DO NOT touch, rub or apply pressure to the eye. DO NOT try to remove any object stuck in the eye. For small debris, lift eyelid and ask child to blink rapidly to see if tears will flush out the particle. If not, close the eye and seek treatment. Do not apply ointment or medication to the eye. A cut or puncture wound should be gently covered. Only in the event of chemical exposure, flush with plenty of water. Source of information: The American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Presented as a public service by the Caribbean Eye Institute. Eye related questions can be sent to Caribeyett@icloud.com

See the rest here:
Eye safety in sports and recreation - Trinidad & Tobago Express

Whatever the cause, there are a fewunique vision problems women need to watch out formore than men. Dry eye occurs at double the rate in postmenopausal women.3 In general, women are more susceptible to autoimmune diseases than men, many of which affect vision, such as lupus, Sjgren's syndrome and hyperthyroiditis. Also, pregnancy can cause vision changes due to the hormones pregnant women experience.

Good news is most vision loss is preventable. The Academy offers five simple steps to take control of your eye health today:

"Eye exams aren't only about checking a person's visual acuity or sharpness, but also determining the overall health of their eyes," said Rebecca J. Taylor, M.D., clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. "We encourage women as well as men to get regular eye care. By making vision a priority today, we can help protect our sight as we age."

To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology'sEyeSmartwebsite.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

1. National Eye Institute 2. National Eye Institute 3. Am J Ophthalmol.2003 Aug;136(2):318-26.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/women-face-higher-risk-of-blindness-than-men-300443529.html

SOURCE American Academy of Ophthalmology

http://www.aao.org

Read this article:
Women Face Higher Risk of Blindness Than Men - PR Newswire (press release)

Malikaa Marathe, who was partially blind for four years when she was a kid, is now ranked first in the All India Tennis Association (AITA) rankings for girls.

Growing up, Malikaa was like any other child her age, until she was affected by amblyopia or lazy eye. This is a condition where one has vision problems as a result of the brain and eye not working well together. She was affected by amblyopia in her right eye and to strengthen that eye, she had to wear a patch on her left eye according to The Frustrated Indian. She had to do this for four years, which means as part of the treatment she had very poor vision for those years.

For Malikaa it wasnt easy. But she carried on undeterred with only one thing in her mindto excel in her chosen field and become a world-class tennis player. Self-driven and self-motivated, she undergoes training with a determination that is beyond her age.

As a result, in 2017, she is ranked first in the U-14 All India Tennis Association (AITA) rankings for girls. Women entering and succeeding in the field of sports isn't the same as men because they have to break multiple barriers and fight a constant battle against social stigma.

Be it having to wear shorts or spend money on training, it isn't easy in a society where girl children are always seen as a burden and a liability. In a country like India, convincing a family to spend on a girl child is not even the most difficult partaccording to the Youth Ki Awaaz, the Indian government's attitude towards any sport other than cricket is abysmal. This is even more the case when it comes to sports that women are involved in.

We all remember the case ofDipa Karmakar, who nearly did not participate in the Olympic Games because of a lack of funding. In such a scenario, girls like Malikaaact as a constant source of hope for others to emulate.

Do you have an interesting story to share? Please write to us at tci@yourstory.com. To stay updated with more positive news, please connect with us onFacebookandTwitter.

See original here:
Meet Malikaa Marathe, the girl who went from having partial eyesight to becoming first in tennis - YourStory.com

An eye examination is a series of tests performed by an ophthalmologist (medical doctor), optometrist, or orthoptist assessing vision and ability to focus on and discern objects, as well as other tests and examinations pertaining to the eyes. Health care professionals often recommend that all people should have periodic and thorough eye examinations as part of routine primary care, especially since many eye diseases are asymptomatic.

Eye examinations may detect potentially treatable blinding eye diseases, ocular manifestations of systemic disease, or signs of tumours or other anomalies of the brain.

Ideally, the eye examination consists of an external examination, followed by specific tests for visual acuity, pupil function, extraocular muscle motility, visual fields, intraocular pressure and ophthalmoscopy through a dilated pupil.

A minimal eye examination consists of tests for visual acuity, pupil function, and extraocular muscle motility, as well as direct ophthalmoscopy through an undilated pupil.

Visual acuity is the eye's ability to detect fine details and is the quantitative measure of the eye's ability to see an in-focus image at a certain distance. The standard definition of normal visual acuity (20/20 or 6/6 vision) is the ability to resolve a spatial pattern separated by a visual angle of one minute of arc. The terms 20/20 and 6/6 are derived from standardized sized objects that can be seen by a "person of normal vision" at the specified distance. For example, if one can see at a distance of 20ft an object that normally can be seen at 20ft, then one has 20/20 vision. If one can see at 20ft what a normal person can see at 40ft, then one has 20/40 vision. Put another way, suppose you have trouble seeing objects at a distance and you can only see out to 20ft what a person with normal vision can see out to 200 feet, then you have 20/200 vision. The 6/6 terminology is more commonly used in Europe and Australia, and represents the distance in metres.

This is often measured with a Snellen chart or with a logMAR base Velorum Visual Acuity System.

In physics, "refraction" is the mechanism that bends the path of light through the eye. Refractive error is an optical abnormality in which the shape of the eye fails to bring light into sharp focus on the retina, resulting in blurred or distorted vision. Examples of refractive error are myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. In optometry, a "refraction" procedure is the measurement of refractive error by an eye care professional, usually for the purpose of correcting the error with glasses, contact lenses, or refractive surgery. A refraction procedure consists of two parts: objective and subjective.

An objective refraction is a refraction obtained without receiving any feedback from the patient, using a retinoscope or auto-refractor.

To perform a retinoscopy, the doctor projects a streak of light into a pupil. A series of lenses are flashed in front of the eye. By looking through the retinoscope, the doctor can study the light reflex of the pupil. Based on the movement and orientation of this retinal reflection, the refractive state of the eye is measured.

An auto-refractor is a computerized instrument that shines light into an eye. The light travels through the front of the eye, to the back and then forward through the front again. The information bounced back to the instrument gives an objective measurement of refractive error without asking the patients any questions.

A subjective refraction requires responses from the patient. Typically, the patient will sit behind a phoropter or wear a trial frame and look at an eye chart. The eye care professional will change lenses and other settings while asking the patient for feedback on which set of lenses give the best vision.

Researchers at the MIT Media Laboratory have proposed an eyepiece and software for use with a smartphone as a cheaper alternative to traditional subjective refraction equipment. The system is called NETRA ("near-eye tool for refractive assessment"). A patent was filed for the system in 2010, and the primary audience for the device was projected to be the developing world where access to eye care professionals is limited. The system uses an array of tiny lenses and a grid of pinholes that require the observer to visualize depth in what is otherwise a 2-dimensional surface (the smartphone screen). Rather than determining which of two images looks clearer, patients need only line up an array of dots and lines until they overlap. The degree of adjustment the patent uses on the handheld optical device to accomplish these tasks becomes a measure of visual acuity which can then be translated into an eyeglass prescription. The binocular auto-refractor measures sphere, cylinder, axis and pupillary distance. EyeNetra, the company marketing the devices, expects to bring them to market in February 2016 at a price of just over US$1,000 per device.[1]

Sometimes, eye care professionals prefer to obtain a cycloplegic refraction, especially when trying to obtain an accurate refraction in young children who may skew refraction measurements by adjusting their eyes with accommodation. Cycloplegic eye drops are applied to the eye to temporarily paralyze the ciliary muscle of the eye.

An examination of pupilary function includes inspecting the pupils for equal size (1mm or less of difference may be normal), regular shape, reactivity to light, and direct and consensual accommodation. These steps can be easily remembered with the mnemonic PERRLA (D+C): Pupils Equal and Round; Reactive to Light and Accommodation (Direct and Consensual).

A swinging-flashlight test may also be desirable if neurologic damage is suspected. The swinging-flashlight test is the most useful clinical test available to a general physician for the assessment of optic nerve anomalies. This test detects the afferent pupil defect, also referred to as the Marcus Gunn pupil. It is conducted in a semidarkened room. In a normal reaction to the swinging-flashlight test, both pupils constrict when one is exposed to light. As the light is being moved from one eye to another, both eyes begin to dilate, but constrict again when light has reached the other eye.

If there is an efferent defect in the left eye, the left pupil will remain dilated regardless of where the light is shining, while the right pupil will respond normally. If there is an afferent defect in the left eye, both pupils will dilate when the light is shining on the left eye, but both will constrict when it is shining on the right eye. This is because the left eye will not respond to external stimulus (afferent pathway), but can still receive neural signals from the brain (efferent pathway) to constrict.

If there is a unilateral small pupil with normal reactivity to light, it is unlikely that a neuropathy is present. However, if accompanied by ptosis of the upper eyelid, this may indicate Horner's syndrome.

If there is a small, irregular pupil that constricts poorly to light, but normally to accommodation, this is an Argyll Robertson pupil.

Ocular motility should always be tested, especially when patients complain of double vision or physicians suspect neurologic disease. First, the doctor should visually assess the eyes for deviations that could result from strabismus, extraocular muscle dysfunction, or palsy of the cranial nerves innervating the extraocular muscles. Saccades are assessed by having the patient move his or her eye quickly to a target at the far right, left, top and bottom. This tests for saccadic dysfunction whereupon poor ability of the eyes to "jump" from one place to another may impinge on reading ability and other skills, whereby the eyes are required to fixate and follow a desired object.

The patient is asked to follow a target with both eyes as it is moved in each of the nine cardinal directions of gaze. The examiner notes the speed, smoothness, range and symmetry of movements and observes for unsteadiness of fixation. These nine fields of gaze test the extraocular muscles: inferior, superior, lateral and medial rectus muscles, as well as the superior and inferior oblique muscles.

Testing the visual fields consists of confrontation field testing in which each eye is tested separately to assess the extent of the peripheral field.

To perform the test, the individual occludes one eye while fixated on the examiner's eye with the non-occluded eye. The patient is then asked to count the number of fingers that are briefly flashed in each of the four quadrants. This method is preferred to the wiggly finger test that was historically used because it represents a rapid and efficient way of answering the same question: is the peripheral visual field affected?

Common problems of the visual field include scotoma (area of reduced vision), hemianopia (half of visual field lost), homonymous hemianopsia and bitemporal hemianopia.

External examination of eyes consists of inspection of the eyelids, surrounding tissues and palpebral fissure. Palpation of the orbital rim may also be desirable, depending on the presenting signs and symptoms. The conjunctiva and sclera can be inspected by having the individual look up, and shining a light while retracting the upper or lower eyelid. The position of the eyelids are checked for abnormalities such as ptosis which is an asymmetry between eyelid positions.

Close inspection of the anterior eye structures and ocular adnexa are often done with a slit lamp which is a table mounted microscope with a special adjustable illumination source attached. A small beam of light that can be varied in width, height, incident angle, orientation and colour, is passed over the eye. Often, this light beam is narrowed into a vertical "slit", during slit-lamp examination. The examiner views the illuminated ocular structures, through an optical system that magnifies the image of the eye and the patient is seated while being examined, and the head stabilized by an adjustable chin rest.

This allows inspection of all the ocular media, from cornea to vitreous, plus magnified view of eyelids, and other external ocular related structures. Fluorescein staining before slit lamp examination may reveal corneal abrasions or herpes simplex infection.

The binocular slit-lamp examination provides stereoscopic magnified view of the eye structures in striking detail, enabling exact anatomical diagnoses to be made for a variety of eye conditions.

Also ophthalmoscopy and gonioscopy examinations can also be performed through the slit lamp when combined with special lenses. These lenses include the Goldmann 3-mirror lens, gonioscopy single-mirror/ Zeiss 4-mirror lens for (ocular) anterior chamber angle structures and +90D lens, +78D lens, +66D lens & Hruby (-56D) lens, the examination of retinal structures is accomplished.

Intraocular pressure (IOP) can be measured by Tonometry devices. The eye can be thought of as an enclosed compartment through which there is a constant circulation of fluid that maintains its shape and internal pressure. Tonometry is a method of measuring this pressure using various instruments. The normal range is 10-21 mmHg.

Examination of retina (fundus examination) is an important part of the general eye examination. Dilating the pupil using special eye drops greatly enhances the view and permits an extensive examination of peripheral retina. A limited view can be obtained through an undilated pupil, in which case best results are obtained with the room darkened and the patient looking towards the far corner. The appearance of the optic disc and retinal vasculature are also recorded during fundus examination.

A red reflex can be seen when looking at a patient's pupil through a direct ophthalmoscope. This part of the examination is done from a distance of about 50cm and is usually symmetrical between the two eyes. An opacity may indicate a cataract.

Children should have their first eye exam at 6 months old. If a parent suspects something is wrong an ophthalmologist can check even earlier.

Early eye exams are important because children need the following basic visual skills for learning:

Because of the importance of eye exams before students begin school, the Ontario Association of Optometrists started the Eye See...Eye Learn program in Ontario after it was successfully launched in Alberta in 2003. The program provides OHIP insured eye exams and free eyeglasses to Junior Kindergarten children in participating regions. Currently the program is being offered in the following regions for the 2010/2011 year: Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth, Peel and Windsor-Essex.

More here:
Eye examination - Wikipedia