Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for a wide-range of diseases. Now, scientists have evidence that smoking may also increase the risk of age-related cataract, the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in the world. Reported in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science (Smoking and Risk of Age-related Cataract: A Meta-analysis), the new findings are the result of a meta-analys
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Smoking and Cataracts
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4186 days ago (Editorial)OPHTHALMOLOGY: New Look At Putting the Lid On Those Dry Eyes
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4186 days ago (Editorial)
ONE of the most common symptoms of vision-related health problem is dry eyes, it can be a function of age, but it is becoming more frequent in people of all ages, who spend too many hours staring at a computer screen, say eye specialists. Australian scientists have developed a simple test of eyelid sensitivity to help vision specialists to evaluate the extent of dry eyes, and give appropriate tre
Novel Drug May Stop Eye Disease
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4186 days ago (Editorial)
A new drug developed by researchers from Flinders University, in partnership with collaborators in Melbourne, could hold the key to better treatment of some blinding eye diseases. Members of the research team, led by Professor Keryn Williams of Flinders Centre for Ophthalmology, Eye and Vision Research, believe they can stop or even reverse the progression of disease by blocking a particular prot
Child Poisonings from Eye Drops, Nose Sprays
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4186 days ago (Editorial)
Over-the-counter eye drops and nose sprays contain powerful drugs that are poisonous in surprisingly small amounts if swallowed, the FDA warns. Unwary parents often leave these products within easy reach of curious children. From 1997 through 2009, eye drops injured more than 4,500 children under the age of 5 and nasal sprays injured more than 1,100, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Aggregation of Proteins in Cells May Result In Diseases
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4186 days ago (Editorial)
Changes in the structure of proteins can lead to various diseases, such as Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes and corneal dystrophy. A research team from Aarhus University has now discovered how a particular protein can damage cells. These results may lead to the development of drugs to treat corneal dystrophy in the future. Corneal dystrophy is caused by a mutation of a protein called TGFBIp in the c
Eye Diseases Common in Adults Also Seen In Kids
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4191 days ago (Editorial)
Dr. Roberto Warman, a pediatric ophthalmologist with Miami Children's Hospital, said there are a variety of eye conditions that can affect children from infancy through the teen years. What many don't realize is that infants and children can also be affected by cataracts, the most common ophthalmic condition seen in adults. Children with certain health issues, such as down syndrome, have a highe
Loss of Sight Is A Primary Concern For Aging Europeans
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4191 days ago (Editorial)
E-FAB (European Forum Against Blindness) marks World Sight Day with a call to prevent avoidable blindness which remains a significant problem in Europe. A new survey of over 5,000 people across five EU countries reveals a level of concern and perceived need for better vision care services. As part of World Sight Day 2012, a survey across five EU countries reveals that over twice as many people ar
Fake Eyes Will Be Thwarted By Researcher’s New Scanning Technology
Posted by Praveen (#2) 4191 days ago (Editorial)
A researcher at Texas State University in San Marcos has developed an improved method for ocular biometrics or eye scanning that can’t be fooled by “fake eyes.” South Texas Technology Management (STTM), the regional University of Texas System technology transfer office managed by the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has filed a patent application for the technology and is