Researchers in Israel have achieved a significant global milestone in stem cell technology: they have created the first human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines that are free of animal contamination and whose production complies with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). The achievement paves the way for developing clinical treatments that use hESCs to treat degenerative diseases like age-related mac
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Stem Cell Breakthrough Significant for Degenerative Diseases
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4415 days ago (Editorial)Bevacizumab Shows No Benefit in Advanced-Stage AMD
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4408 days ago (Editorial)
Intravitrealbevacizumab does not benefit patients with advanced neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and very poor vision, according to a small study.Bevacizumab is effective against subfovealchoroidal neovascularization (CNV) due to AMD. But it is unclear whether it will benefit patients with more advanced disease, Dr. PierluigiIacono of the Scientific Institute San Raffaele in Mil
Having Surgery to Correct Cataracts May Protect Against Hip Fractures in Older People
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4397 days ago (Editorial)
A new study shows having surgery to correct cataracts may reduce the risk of hip fractures among elderly people by up to 23%.Falls and the resulting bone fractures are a major cause of disability and death among the elderly. Researchers say fall-related injuries cost the U.S. more than $10 billion in health care costs in 2000.The results suggest cataract surgery may be a cost-effective way to red
Fluoroquinolones: Acute Toxicity and the Eye
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4383 days ago (Editorial)
Etminan and colleagues describe an association between the use of oral fluoroquinolones and the development of retinal detachment. This case-control study was conducted in British Columbia, Canada, and included almost 1 million patients.The study found that the current use of oral fluoroquinolones was associated with a higher risk for retinal detachment. Of 4384 patients with retinal detachment,
Eye Care Utilization by Older Adults in Low, Middle, and High Income Countries
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4374 days ago (Editorial)
The risk of visual impairment increases dramatically with age and therefore older adults should have their eyes examined at least every 1 to 2 years. Using a world-wide, population-based dataset, we sought to determine the frequency that older people had their eyes examined. We also examined factors associated with having a recent eye exam. The World Health Surveys were conducted in 70 countries
Brits Putting Eyes at Risk
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4355 days ago (Editorial)
Leading surgeon calls on Brits to check up on eyes this National Eye Health Week 2012 Alarming new research reveals Brits are putting their sight in danger by failing to look after their eyes properly, with 41% of adults avoiding annual eye tests. The research for specialist eye hospital group Optegra shows nine per cent of Brits 'hardly ever' get their eye sight checked, despite the importance o
Is Your Office Destroying Your Eyes?
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4346 days ago (Editorial)
If you're reading this story, chances are you spend a lot of your time in front of a computer--up to 8 or more hours a day if you're like many office workers. That's a problem, because all that screen time is likely wreaking irreparable havoc on your overworked eyeballs, according to eye-health experts. Long hours in front of a computer screen can cause a number of unpleasant visual symptoms, inc
Tissues Tell the Tale: Non-Invasive Optical Technique Detects Cancer by Looking Under the Skin
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4340 days ago (Editorial)
The trained eye of a dermatologist can identify many types of skin lesions, but human sight only goes so far. Now an international team of researchers has developed an advanced optics system to noninvasively map out the network of tiny blood vessels beneath the outer layer of patients' skin, potentially revealing telltale signs of disease. Researchers from Medical University Vienna (MUW) in Austr