The Canadian Association of Optometrists (CAO) is pleased to announce that this year's Eye Health Month theme is Look. See. Learn. The focus is children's vision and the importance of eye exams in early childhood to detect and prevent serious eye disease. Since 80 per cent of classroom learning is visual, it's extremely important for parents to have their children's eyes tested prior to them star
Bharat | Submitted 
Healthy Vision and Successful Learning Go Hand in Hand
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4293 days ago (Editorial)Longstanding Celiac Disease a Risk Factor for Diabetic Retinopathy
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4293 days ago (Editorial)
Longstanding celiac disease is associated with an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes, a new study finds.The prevalence of celiac disease in type 1 diabetes ranges from 3% to 12%, and the link between the two diseases is well established. "In fact, this type of screening is already adopted in many countries, including Sweden.This study, published online Septemb
Ocriplasmin Useful for Vitreomacular Adhesions, Macular Holes
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4325 days ago (Editorial)
Significantly more patients who received ocriplasmin experienced resolution of vitreomacular adhesions and closure of macular holes than patients who received placebo, according to results from a study published in the August 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Despite the statistical significance of the results, only a small percentage of patients stand to benefit. Just 13.4% of the
Cataract Rates are on the Rise in Americans Age 40 and Older
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4325 days ago (Editorial)
August 16, 2012 – The incidence of cataracts in the U.S. has risen 19 percent since 2000, impacting nearly 25 million Americans age 40 and older.[i] In fact, more than half of all Americans will develop cataracts by age 80, according to Prevent Blindness America’s Vision Problems in the U.S. report. In response, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart program is educating the public abou
Potential Target For Treatment Of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4325 days ago (Editorial)
Research conducted at the Angiogenesis Laboratory at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, has for the first time, identified the mode of death of cone photoreceptor cells in an animal model of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). This groundbreaking study, led by Demetrios G. Vavvas, M.D., Ph.D., and including Joan W. Miller, M.D., Mass. Eye and Ear/Mass General Hospital Chief of Ophthalmology and Chair of
Women Need Bifocals Sooner Than Men & Arm Length May Be To Blame
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4325 days ago (Editorial)
Studies show that presbyopia, the inability to see at a close distance that occurs with age, is more common in women. While men and women need bifocals as they age, the need is more common among women and tends to hit them at younger ages than men.In Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science (IOVS), researchers published a study that suggests the problem is not with women’s ability to focus,
Blood pressure drugs can raise risk of cataract surgery
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4325 days ago (Editorial)
Some drugs prescribed to lower blood pressure can increase the risk of corrective cataract surgery, according to research published on the website of the British Journal of Ophthalmology. People who take beta blockers or ACE inhibitors to lower their blood pressure were found to be 61% and 54%, respectively, more likely to undergo cataract surgery, a study found. Around a third of the UK populati
Sterilizing Filter Reduces Contamination of Autologous Serum Eyedrops
Posted by Bharat (#1) 4330 days ago (Editorial)
Sterilizing filters adapted to conventional containers cuts contamination rates of autologous serum eyedrops, new research shows.Autologous serum eyedrops are used to manage persistent epithelial defects and other corneal epithelialization disorders. These preparations do not contain preservatives, which could cause ocular surface damage, so they are easily contaminated, limiting their lifespan t