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PALO ALTO, Calif., June 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --SightGlass Vision, Inc., a life sciences company focused on ending nearsightedness (myopia), today announced it has achieved Conformit Europene (CE) Markdeclaration on its first product the Company's novel eyeglasses designed to slow the progression of myopia in children.The CE Mark confirms that SightGlass Vision's Diffusion Optics Technology (DOT) spectacle lens products meet European Union (EU) regulatory standards, and allows the Company to commercialize its suite of DOT products across the EU, United Kingdom, and other European Economic Area countries.

The CE Mark declaration allowing European Marketing Authorization includes products containing anti-reflective and photochromic technologies, making the Company's DOT lenses the first product that has shown success in a multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial to include these options for myopia management.

"Our novel spectacle lenses designed to slow myopia progression in children have been hailed as a revolutionary innovation in the field of myopia management. The CE Mark allowing European Marketing Authorization for our suite of DOT products is an important leap forward for our Company, as we advance our mission to end myopia. We look forward to bringing to market a powerful and unique mechanism of action that we are confident will benefit children in the EU and other CE Mark geographies who live with myopia and are at risk from its vision-threatening complications," said Thomas W. Chalberg, Ph.D., Founder and Chief Executive Officer.

The CE Mark is a certification mark in Europe that signals conformity to patient and user safety and device performance standards in the region. It is considered an essential regulatory requirement for companies intending to sell medical products in the European Economic Area.

SightGlass Vision also received ISO 13485:2016 certification of its manufacturing process, facility, and quality management system in 2019. This certification demonstrates the Company's focus on quality and its ability to provide a portfolio of DOT spectacle lenses that consistently meet both customer and applicable regulatory requirements. In addition, SightGlass Vision's quality systems meet the new EU rules for medical device manufacturers, known as Medical Devices Regulation, which is scheduled to take effect on May 26, 2021.

About MyopiaNearsightedness or myopia is a condition that occurs when the light coming into an eye does not focus on the retina, but in front of it, making things look blurry. For most people, myopia is usually a minor inconvenience and is correctable. However, myopia increases the risk of serious eye conditions such as myopic maculopathy, retinal detachment, and glaucoma, making it one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness.

Myopia has seen a dramatic increase in prevalence over the past several decades. In the early 1970's, only 25 percent of Americans were nearsighted. By the early 2000's, that number had jumped to more than 40 percent. Today, the number of nearsighted people is at epidemic proportions globally. Myopia is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in parts of Asia. Most alarming is approximately half of all young adults in the U.S. and Europe are nearsighted double the number from when their grandparents were the same age. And in China, about 80 to 90 percent of teens and young adults are myopic, up from 10 to 20 percent just 65 years ago. It is estimated that almost half of the entire world's population, or five billion people, will be nearsighted by 2050. This increase is thought to relate to lifestyle changes, including less time outdoors and more eye-straining or near work-related activities such as reading and screen time. Early intervention is key to preventing high myopia from developing.

About SightGlass Vision, Inc.SightGlass Vision, Inc. is a life sciences company focused on ending nearsightedness (myopia). Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, SightGlass is developing innovative spectacle lenses to reduce the progression of myopia in children. Based on groundbreaking research from the University of Washington, SightGlass was founded in 2016 by Professors Jay and Maureen Neitz, and Dr. James Kuchenbecker, who are world-renowned vision researchers, and Dr. Thomas Chalberg, a serial entrepreneur in the biotechnology and medical device sectors. For more information, please visit http://www.sightglassvision.com.

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SightGlass Vision Achieves CE Mark Allowing European Marketing Authorization for Novel Eyeglasses That Slow Myopia Progression in Children - Monterey...

As I wrote in todays open, in order to end racism and push for a more just and equal society, white people and non-black people of colour have to pull up. We can begin by acknowledging our mistakes and understanding that weve been shaped by institutionalised and systemic racism. And that while its certainly humiliating to admit that we can and most definitely have been racist in the past, and complacent about addressing it, that is nothing compared to what the consequences of our complacency which is that Black and Indigenous peoples lives have been lost and their opportunities taken away for GENERATIONS, literally.

Blake Lively has acknowledged this on her most recent Instagram post. There are five slides:

Were ashamed that in the past weve allowed ourselves to be uninformed by how deeply rooted systemic racism is.

We talk about our bias and our own mistakes. We look back and see so many mistakes which has led us to deeply examine who we are and what we want to become.

Youll recall, back when Blake was still running her Preserve lifestyle website, she once published a piece about the Allure of Antebellum.That was 2014. Critics of the piece (myself included) called it out for romanticising slavery. When you combine the word preserve and then allure of antebellum, its not a stretch to connect preservation of the status quo with a time before abolition. Also, she and Ryan Reynolds were married on a plantation.My read of Blakes post is that she is reflecting back on that essay and telling us that she has had to confront the grossness of all of that and learned that she had to do better, be better.

Blake, as you can imagine, presents a certain image and allure of her own, especially to white people, white women. And she is modelling for them that she has had to evolve, using her platform and taking this message right to the Amy Coopers of the world. Shes also made a donation of $200K to the NAACP. And while some may not be inclined to be generous about her generosity and self-examination (one way to improve her post would have been to straight up name her shame), its still better than silence. The fact that she says shes willing to have these conversations is only going to help.

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Blake Lively acknowledges that she's allowed herself to be uninformed about systemic racism in new Instagram p - LaineyGossip

Datuk Seri Najib Razak is pictured at the Kuala Lumpur High Court June 3, 2020. Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, June 3 Datuk Seri Najib Razak deliberately chose to not inquire the source of the RM42 million that was allegedly deposited in his bank accounts, the prosecution told the High Court during Najibs RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd trial today.

Ad hoc prosecutor Datuk V. Sithambaram argued that throughout the hearing, Najib did not deny knowledge of funds entering his accounts instead claiming that it was Arab donation, despite the fact that the said donations had almost dried up due to the numerous cheques issued.

He said evidence has shown that Najib continued to spend without any care even after claiming to have no knowledge of the exact amount of Arab donations entering his accounts.

Since Najib had exhausted the Arab money and returned a portion of it which he received in his bank accounts later, Sithambaram questioned how could Najib assume there was still money in his accounts and issued more cheques without being suspicious of the funds in his accounts.

The circumstances paint the clearest picture that the accused must have reasonably suspected the source of the funds but deliberately chose not to inquire about it.

Instead, the accused has claimed utter ignorance and shoved the responsibility to other persons who are either missing, wanted or dead.

It can be inferred that not only did the accused know the account balance but he also knew that the account would be credited with funds including SRC funds as the accounts were being bank-rolled as the task was assigned to Jho Low, Nik Faisal and Datuk Azlin by the accused, he said in his oral submission at the close of the defence case before High Court judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.

Sithambaram was earlier submitting on the defences reply in regards to the three money-laundering charges Najib is currently charged within the case.

Drawing an inference from evidence established in court, Sithambaram said Najib himself had admitted that he tasked three individuals former principle private secretary Datuk Azlin Alias, SRC International former chief executive Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and fugitive financier Low Taek Jho or Jho Low to ensure funds were readily available in his bank accounts for him to spend.

The accused, being the bank account holder, must be vigilant and cautious of funds entering his personal bank accounts that he ultimately expended fully.

Najib cannot just direct other persons to ensure funds are well-replenished in his bank accounts for him to spend without caring about the source of the funds, he said, adding that Najibs instruction to both Low and Azlin to ensure funds are ever-present without checking the source of RM42 million is considered wilful blindness.

Earlier, Sithambaram also told the court that Najib had based his expenditures on the confirmation provided by Azlin who would tell him if he was able to issue a cheque.

The fact that the accused is only relying on the confirmation given to him on the purported available funds by Azlin will not absolve the accused from his duty to inquire the source of the funds entering his accounts, he said.

Of the seven charges he was asked to enter his defence, Najib is accused of committing three counts of criminal breach of trust over a total RM42 million of SRC International funds while entrusted with its control as the prime minister and finance minister then, and a separate charge of abusing the same positions for self-gratification of the same sum.

For the remaining three charges, he is accused of laundering RM42 million.

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SRC Trial: Prosecution insists Najib chose wilful blindness by not inquiring source of RM42m deposited into his accounts - Malay Mail

If youve ever butchered anything from a rabbit to a hog and butchered is the right word, not the bleached harvested you know there will be blood. Butchering, after all, is a bloody business.

While 95% of Americans are carnivores, its a safe bet that nearly 99.9% of them havent thought much about where their meat comes from or how it gets to them so well, clean.

Covid-19 changed that willful blindness and put Americas industrialized and exploitive meat delivery system on the front page of every newspaper because it wasnt just killing hogs, cattle and poultry. It was is also killing the people doing most of the butchering.

As of May 26, according to in-depth reporting by Leah Douglas of the Food & Environment Reporting Network, or FERN, 73 U.S. food processing workers have died since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak in America. Sixty-seven of them, or nine out of 10, were meatpacker employees.

In the broader picture, reports Douglas, of the 19,785 food processing workers that tested positive for the virus, 17,893 of them, again, nine out of 10, worked in animal disassembly or meatpacking factories.

Meat industry titans know they have a terrible problem. Most are now spending mega-millions on worker facemasks and shields, workplace dividers, personal health monitoring and other long-overdue measures to protect the health and safety of its shoulder-to-shoulder workforce.

All the money, monitoring, and motivation, however, will never overcome the weakest link in todays meatpacking chain: its success rises and falls on a river of quickly trainable, overwhelmingly immigrant labor who are low-wage cogs in an international protein machine oiled mostly with blood.

And little of this is by accident. Since the early 1980s, meatpackers have used two powerful tools, industrial innovation and the lack of government oversight and, more often than not, government complicity to regain the dominating market power they enjoyed a century ago.

In fact, Exactly 100 years ago, noted Politico, May 25 the five biggest U.S. meatpackers were responsible for 82% of the beef market. After years of litigation and decades of new competition because of government intervention the top four firms controlled only 36% of cattle slaughter by 1980.

Then came the near-complete abandonment of corporate ag antitrust action by the Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, Bush II, Obama and Trump administrations. When it comes to antitrust, White Houses arent white, red or blue; theyre green as in green lights.

No surprise then that now the top four beef packers again control about 85% of the U.S. (beef) market, noted Politico. The market concentration is similar for poultry and pork slaughterers.

Equally impressive is the industrys political power. For almost 30 years, the federal government has conceded to meatpackers calls for cheaper, in-house inspection regimes, the speeding up of kill lines to increase throughput, and cuts in the number of federal meat inspectors.

That power was on full display when the White House empowered Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, through the Defense Production Act, to get at-risk meatpacker workers back on the job, pandemic or not, a month ago. Today, U.S. meat plants are running at 91% capacity.

And for what?

Local farmers hurting. Definitely not for the benefit of independent hog farmers, cattle ranchers or feedlot finishers. In May, livestock industry groups forecast pandemic-fueled, 2020 hog losses at $5 billion and cattle losses at $13.5 billion.

And thats only if a second round of Covid-19 a likely possibility, warn experts doesnt slam livestock growers this winter.

Whatever happens in the market, Congress needs to reexamine meatpacker concentration after allocating some of the $3 trillion of government Covid cash to build express lanes for smaller, local, independent meatpackers to form and grow.

Congress did it for ethanol and corn farmers, and it can do it for livestock and poultry farmers. Call it what it is: job creation, rural development, smart use of taxpayer money.

Lets just stop calling it harvesting because, in fact, its a very bloody business.

Up-to-date agriculture news in your inbox!

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The bloody business of meatpacking - Farm and Dairy

From Washington to Los Angeles, the scene has become eerily mundane in the last week: The soft thud of a tear gas canister landing on pavement, followed by a billow of white smoke enveloping a throng of fleeing demonstrators.

On a scale not seen in decades, police across the United States have resorted to tear gas and other "riot control agents" to break up protests stemming from the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis police.

But if the immediate effects of a tear gas blast such as choking, watering eyes and nausea are well-known, the broader impact for thousands of people may be much harder to gauge, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because tear gas damages respiratory airway linings, even healthy protesters who inhale it "are more prone to get the infection" caused by the viral disease, with African-Americans and other minorities especially vulnerable, Satya Achanta, an assistant professor of anesthesiology at Duke University, said in an interview this morning. Four years ago, Achanta was co-author of a scientific overview of tear gas's effects.

"Many believe the risks of tear gas exposure are understated and that perceived risks are based on insufficient human epidemiological and mechanistic data," the authors concluded at the time.

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Those gaps remain today, Achanta said. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, for example, says in an online fact sheet that "long-term health effects are unlikely to occur" once exposure ends and the immediate symptoms go away, the evidence is inconclusive, he said.

Tear gas is an umbrella term for a variety of compounds, with two of the most common known in shorthand as CS and CN after their chemical makeups, according to the fact sheet.

Despite the name, those compounds are solids; they work by irritating skin or other tissue.

CDC describes their effects as poisonous. While the immediate impact should quickly wear off once a victim is out of range, long-lasting exposure or a exposure to large doses, particularly in confined settings, can lead to blindness, glaucoma or immediate death because of burns to the throat and lungs, the agency says.

Under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, to which the United States is a signatory, tear gas is deemed a riot control agent that's banned as "a method of warfare," according to the fact-checking organization PolitiFact.

But if its use in military conflict is thus prohibited, the United States has no specific rules for its deployment by law enforcement or training requirements for its use against civilians, an online petition charges.

The petition, posted on the website Change.org, had drawn almost 37,000 signatures as of this morning. It calls for banning or limiting the use of such compounds.

Studies suggest that children are more vulnerable to severe injuries, the petition says, with exposed infants at risk of developing pneumonitis and needing extended hospitalization.

In a sign that the issue is becoming more politically sensitive, the U.S. Park Police yesterday disputed allegations that its officers deployed tear gas in clearing demonstrators from a square across from the White House on Monday, while acknowledging in a statement that pepper balls and smoke canisters were used (see related story).

Pepper spray, also widely used by police, comprises extracts from chili peppers.

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GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS: Could tear gas blasts lead to more cases of COVID-19? - E&E News

The United States has experienced a week of outrage following the killing of George Floyd. Protestors have turned out daily in most major cities to demand an end to police brutality and justice for Floyd and other Black Americans, including Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery, who have died at the hands of racial injustice.

As crowds reach the thousands, police and other law enforcement officials have started using extreme measures of crowd control, like pepper spray, tear gas, and rubber bullets.

Whats more, videos all over social media have documented the use of flash-bang grenades to subdue crowds. The controversial explosive has been used against protestors in Seattle, Cleveland, Washington, D.C., and other major cities. NBC News correspondent Jo Ling Kent, was actually hit by a flash-bang as she reported live from Seattle.

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But what, exactly, are flash-bang grenades and how do they work? Heres what you need to know about them and injuries they can cause.

Also known as stun grenade, a flash-bang is a non-lethal explosive device that emits an extremely loud bang and bright lights to disorient people as it goes off. They can cause temporary blindness and shifts in hearing, typically lasting a few seconds, per a paper in the American Journal of Operations Research.

There are various types of flash-bangs used for different circumstances, but the type police turn to for crowd control are aerial flash-bangs, which can fly between 20 to 30 feet into the air and advance 50 to 300 meters. There is little regulation and transparency for how these devices are tested, according to an Oregon Public Broadcasting report. Especially when used in urban areas, experts say the trajectory of a flash-bang may be unpredictable due to wind currents.

So while flash-bangs can be used in crowd control circumstances, they are controversial. In February, North Carolinas Supreme Court declared flash-bangs weapons of mass destruction, ruling that it is an explosive and incendiary weapon.

AFPGetty Images

Flash-bangs produce a stunningly loud sound, and that has the potential to cause hearing loss if it hits near you, says Ashley Larrimore, M.D., an emergency medicine physician at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. A flash-bang can hit around 175 decibels when it is detonated, she says. For comparison, a jet engine is about 140 decibels.

The closer you are to the detonation, the more dangerous it becomes. The sudden noise causes temporary deafness, ear ringing, and disruption of the inner ear fluid, which can cause loss of balance, Dr. Larrimore explains. If a person is in a crowd, this is unlikely to cause any permanent damage. However if the person is near it when it detonates, the noise could be enough to cause permanent hearing loss.

The devices can also cause eye pain due to the flashes of bright light that happen on impact, according to a report from the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA). That light has the potential to harm the tissue of your retina (the light-sensitive tissue lining the back of your eyes), the report found.

Flash blindness can also occur, a reversible change in the state of the eye due to a sudden increase in light. During this temporary state of blindness, virtually nothing is visible except a positive or negative afterimage, the IDA report states.

There is a disproportionately high risk of injuryand even deathdue to debris generated from a flash-bang, especially within a close range, according to Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). Flash-bangs are not like traditional grenadesthey do not spray shrapnel when the pin is pulled, Dr. Larrimore says. There is no explosive in the device and the container is not designed to fragment. However, they do go off with enough force that if there are rocks or other debris nearby, that theoretically can be propelled into the air and hit bystanders causing puncture wounds to the skin, eyes, and chest.

PHR specifically breaks down what can happen after a flash-bang attack into four different injury types:

According to a 2015 ProPublica report, at least 50 people in the United States have been seriously injured, maimed, or killed by flash-bangs since 2000.

Physicians for Human Rights opposes the use of flash-bangs, noting in an online statement that they have no place in effective crowd management.

The best way to avoid injury from a flash-bang is doing your best to avoid them entirely, Dr. Larrimore says. If you are protesting or happen to be near a protest, she recommends being aware of the people around you. If the crowd becomes agitated or violent, try to leave the scene before police use crowd control measures.

While you could consider ear protection, this is likely not safe to use in a large crowd where it is important to be able to see and hear what is going on around you for your own safety, she says. If you are injured by [a flash-bang], it is important to seek medical care.

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What Is a Flash-Bang Grenade? Heres How They Work and Why Theyre Dangerous - Prevention.com

As crowds continue to gather across the country toprotest the death of George Floyd, authorities meet them with tear gas and pepper spray in attempt to prevent moreviolence.

While some protests have ended peacefully, others in cities like Pittsburgh, Minneapolis and St. Louis have beenconfronted witha line of police in riot gearfiring tear gasand projectiles into crowds protesting the death of Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in police custody in Minneapolis.

In some incidents,members of the news media appeared to betargeted, by police and protesters alike. On Saturday night,Branden Hunter, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press, went to an emergency room in Detroit after police administered tear gas during a protest.

It's not the first time these "riot agents"were used by authorities to disperse crowds of protesters and it certainly wont bethe last. If youre planning to join one of theseprotests, heres what you need to know to protect yourself against tear gas and pepper spray.

Viral photos:A photo page of striking moments from the weeks protests.

What is pepper spray?Pepper spray is a lachrymatory agent, which means it stimulates the eyes to produce tears.

The main active ingredient in pepper spray is an oil known as oleoresin capsicum, the same agent that provides heat in chili peppers, according to Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician in New York City.

Pepper spray is typically dispersed into the air as an aerosol or as small particles in a liquid spray, according tothe National Capital Poison Center. Pepper sprays and mists can travel 8 to 12 feet, saidSabre, a popular brand of pepper spray. Gel sprays can travel 20% further.

The chemical irritant can cause a feeling of bubbling or boiling in your eyes, temporary blindness and eye pain. The effects can last from 30 to 45 minutes. Glatter said symptoms also may includeburning in the throat, wheezing, dry cough, gagging and difficulty speaking.

People who inhale pepper spray may develop a sudden elevation of blood pressure, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack, he added. Those with asthma also maybe at higher risk for complications.

Skin exposure can cause pain, redness, swelling and itching, according to the National Capital Poison Center.

Dr. Kelly Johnson-Arbor, Medical Director at National Capital Poison Center, said even though pepper spray is technically a natural agent, it can still cause great harm especially to those with underlying conditions.

"Some people interpret natural as safe and thats definitely not true," she said.

Johnson-Arbor urgedprotesters who experience the effects of pepper spray for more than an hour to seek medical care.

How to treat pepper sprayGlatter saidthe most important thing to remember is not to rub your eyes if you get sprayed because it will spread the compound deeper into the eye.

Immediately blinking allows tears to help flush away some of the oils contained in the pepper spray. However, he recommendedusing baby shampoo or diluted dish-washing soap with water to remove them.

While many people are seen on television pouring milk on their face after getting pepper sprayed during protests, Glatter said that only helps reduce the burning sensation but doesn't remove any of the oil.

Johnson-Arbor said there is no scientific evidence to prove baby shampoo works against pepper spray.A 2018 studyfound no difference between baby shampoo or plain water alone.

"Water overall is the best treatment that people can use," she said.

But a simple8-ouncebottle of water won't do.Johnson-Arbor advised people beprepared with lots of water if they expect authorities to disperse riot agents during a protest.

What is tear gas?Tear gas isnt technically a gas, Glatter said. Its a powder that is heated and mixed with a liquid or solvent and released from canisters as an aerosol.

There are different types of tear gas. The two commonly used by law enforcement are 2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile (CS) and chloroacetophenone (CN).

Glattersaid tear gas should be considered a nerve agent in that it doesnt just irritate cells, but also activates specific pain receptors leading to intense and burning pain on all affected areas. It can cause pain and burning in the eyes, mucous membranes, throat, lungs and skin.

Along with pain and tear production, tear gas also causes exaggerated muscle cramping in the eye and sensitivity to light that leads to eye closure, Glatter said.

Tear gas can affect every part of the body. The nosecan experience burning, nasal mucosal swellingand a running nose. Other effects include difficulty swallowing, drooling and severe burning inside the mouth and on the tongue.

People with asthma or chronic inflammatory lung disease (COPD) are most at risk for severe complications as a result of tear gas. Glatter said tear gas can cause an asthma attack or dangerous swelling in the upper airway that could lead to asphyxiation and even death.

"If you dont experience such devastating airway or respiratory effects, your skin feels like its on fire, he said.

Actual burns and blisters could form as a result. Ingestion of tear gas through the mouth can also lead to nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

You get it not a pretty picture, Glatter said.

Johnson-Arbor strongly urges people not to pick up tear gas canisters. She's seen reports ofprotesters throwing them back at authorities, a practice whichcanbe very dangerous.

Tear gas canisters can detonate, exposing protesters to propellants, solvents and explosives. Johnson-Arbor noted reports of brain injuries in previous years due to exploding tear gas canisters.

If the canisters are about to explode, they can also be very hot and cause burn injuries if picked up.

"If a canister lands nearby, then get out of the way," she said.

How to treat tear gasThe Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrecommendedimmediately leavingthe area and getting tofresh air quickly if exposed to tear gas, or similarriot control agents.

If the tear gas was released outdoors, the agency advised seekingthe highest ground possible as the dense vapor cloud travelsclose to the ground. If exposed indoors, leave the building as soon as possible.

The CDC saidto quickly take off any clothing that may have tear gas on it. If clothing needs to be pulled over the head, like a shirt or sweater, Glatter said it must be cut off to limitexposure to the eyes or mouth.

Place all removed clothes in a plastic bag and wash any tear gas from skin as quickly as possible with soap and water. Dont use soap for your eyes.For burning eyes or blurred vision, the CDC recommends risingeyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes.

Glatter said contact lenses should be removed with clean gloves and glasses should be washed with soap and water. Glasses can be used again, but the CDC advises against reusing the contacts, even if theyre not disposable.

While theres no approved antidote for tear gas, Glatter said theres a few home remedies that could help ease effects after exposure. He said some people use lemon juice or antacids such as Maalox water.

That said, water remains the most available and effective solvent for irrigation in the setting of any type of ocular burn, he said.

Long term effects and complications of tear gas, pepper sprayExperts saylow level agents such as pepper spray and tear gas dont usually result in permanent or long-lasting health effects, however, exposure to higher concentrations can be more harmful.

Glatter said significant damage to the corneal epithelium, the outermost layer of the cornea, could lead to visual impairment. Other complications include laryngospasm, a spasm of the vocal cords, or pulmonary edema, fluid in the lungs, in people with a history of lung disease.

Cases of prolonged exposure could result in first- and second-degree burns and blistering. The CDC recommendedtreating with standard burn management techniques including use of medicated bandages.

Glatter said children as well as those with chronic lung disease, hypersensitivity syndromes and older people with heart and kidney disease are more at risk for severe outcomes of pepper spray or tear gas.

How to prepare yourself for a protestJohnson-Arbor urgedprotesters to be prepared if they anticipate authorities to disperse tear gas or use pepper spray.

Dress in long sleeves and pants so the agents can't come in contact with skin. Don't wear contact lenses to protestsas tear gas or pepper sprayparticles can get stuck between the eye and lens and cause damage.

She suggestedwearing some protective gear such as goggles. While many protesters are seen with cloth masks to protect themselves from the coronavirus, Johnson-Arbor said they won't do much against tear gas or pepper spray.

While they provide some protection, cloth masks have varying degrees of filtration, aren't tight-fittingand not medical grade. There are no studies of how pepper spray or tear gas penetrates cloth masks and most masks are open on either side.

"Overall, the masks may provide some protection but it won't be enough to avoid exposure overall," Johnson-Arbor said.

Lastly, she advisedpeople to arm themselves with enough waterto thoroughly irrigate their eyes if exposed to pepper spray or tear gas.

Follow Adrianna Rodriguez on Twitter:@AdriannaUSAT.

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Going to protest George Floyds death? Heres how to protect yourself against tear gas, pepper spray - Austin American-Statesman

Sibley, Iowa A Worthington man, who was electrocuted while working an a construction project in Sibley in 2018, has filed a negligence lawsuit against the City of Sibley.

According to documents filed in Osceola County, Victor Maldonado was part of a renovation crew that was working on a building in downtown Sibley, on September 26, 2018. During the project, Maldonado was lowering an aluminum down spout to connect to the buildings gutter, when the down spout came in contact with an electrical line that sent a current through the down spout and Maldonados body causing, according to the lawsuit, devastating electrical burn injuries, and causing Maldonado to fall off the buildings roof, about 20 feet to the alley below, causing severe injuries.

Maldonados lawsuit accuses the City of Sibley of negligence for allegedly failing to keep the electrical line a required minimum distance from the building. As a result, Maldonado asserts the City of Sibley knew, or should have known, that a serious injury would result.

Maldonados suit says he suffered severe burns, facial and cranial fractures, brain injury, loss of function in limbs, blindness in one eye and other injuries. Maldonados wife, Lidia Ochoa, who is also listed in the filing as his Guardian, is also a plaintiff in the action.

The suit asks for unspecified damages, and Maldonado has demanded a jury hear the case.

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Worthington Man Sues City Of Sibley In Connection With 2018 Electrocution & Fall - KIWARadio.com

Social media has become a battleground, central to raising awareness and resources for the #blacklivesmatter movement and protests. Videos of protests and police violence are constantly circulating and trending.

While social media platforms like Twitter are essential to raising awareness about the injustice people of color face, it's also a place where people can share their opinions. This mixture of information and emotion can be a source of anxiety and pain for some people. As a society that spends a substantial amount of time consuming media, it's important to learn how to process the emotions that come from it and know when to take a break.

If you need a break from social media, but you still want to be informed, you might want to read one of the several books circulating right now detailing the racism, systematic oppression and the plight of black people in the U.S.

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness by Michelle Alexander exposes the racial discrimination embedded into the American legal system, designed to deny African Americans their civil rights.

Another book that examines racism is White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. This book asks an age-old question: Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism? White Fragility discusses how the media, cultural representations and other institutions contribute to the racial insulation of white people. These topics might not be stress-relieving, but they will keep you informed and educated during a media detox.

Journaling can be a good way to combat anxiety, stress, and even depression, according to the University of Rochester Medical Center. Pouring out your thoughts about the news and what you are seeing on social media can be a personal, impactful way to handle all that's happening. For African Americans and for those who are protesting injustice, it is important to put down all of the different emotions instead of keeping them bottled inside.

Like journaling, meditation helps to clear the mind and lower stress levels. Meditation can help you understand and heal pain, and promote a more relaxed state of mind. Apps like Headspace and Calm can help you to be more intentional about taking time to meditate.

It can be hard to manage how much you use social media because our phones are always close by. Using the Screen Time function on an iPhone or downloading a similar app allows you to limit how much time you spend on certain apps. This can help to control how much time you spend on social media like Instagram or Twitter.

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4 ways to cope with feeling overwhelmed by social media and the news - Red and Black

There is growing discontent in Hyesan following the forced mobilization of members of the Socialist Womens Union of Korea (SWUK) for construction projects, Daily NK has learned.

The district office and SWUK office in Hyesans Unchong Village was recently ordered by the government to have local residents participate in road construction, building apartments, construction work in Samjiyon, and on [unspecified] historical sites, a Ryanggang Province-based source told Daily NK on June 2. This has led to heavy complaints from women who are being forced to work on these projects everyday.

There is no getting out of the mobilizations for construction work, the source said, adding, If you are physically unwell or unable to work, you have to pay a financial penalty.

With the closure of the Sino-North Korean border due to COVID-19 and fewer sources of income than before, it has reportedly become more difficult for many women to pay out bribes to avoid forced mobilizations.

Women in Uchong Village are reportedly being asked to work on construction projects one or twice a week until their completion and everyone is having a tough time, the source said.

A WOMANS BURDEN

Complaints have also been raised by women in other parts of Hyesan who have been roped into all kinds of forced labor.

There are differences in how people are mobilized depending on the area, the source told Daily NK. In the Songbong area of Hyesan, for example, they made it mandatory for a dependent in each household to work for ten days, so even women are being forced to work.

This suggests that women are taking on the burden of working on state projects because their husbands cannot leave their regular jobs.

Many North Korean women are responsible for housework while also supporting their families by selling goods at local markets. Being forced to work on construction projects means they have less time to make money for their families.

The source explained that the complaints are focused on the governments blindness to the circumstances women are facing.

Many women are expressing their discontent, claiming that their households suffer when they are called away to work on projects for long periods of time. Some women are even avoiding state mobilizations when they can, the source said.

One major complaint is that many women rely on earning a small amount of money every day to live on and run their household, so it is impossible to make ends meet when they are called away from their families for ten days at a time to work on a construction project, the source continued.

No one is happy, since household work has to be left to the husband, children or elderly parents while the women are away, he added.

HEAVY-HANDED PUNISHMENT

North Korean authorities have adopted a heavy-handed approach to curbing open complaints against mobilizations and responding to cases where women have evaded forced labor outright.

Local district offices and the Ministry of State Security (MSS) [in Hyesan] have been investigating evasion vases and several women have been taken away by the MSS, the source said. They are forced to write down an apology, and threatened with violence or being sent to forced labor camps if they refuse.

Such written apologies are typically reserved for those accused of serious national crimes; perpetrators of smaller infractions are typically asked to prepare written reflections on their mistakes.

Daily NK understands that SWUK members were mobilized for projects in Samjiyon in July of last year and again in March of this year (both link to articles in Korean).

Please direct any comments or questions about this article to dailynkenglish@uni-media.net.

Read in Korean

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North Korean women in Hyesan voice discontent over forced labor - Daily NK - DailyNK

(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, has announced the recipient of the 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, as the Childrens Vision Rehabilitation Program (CVRP) at West Virginia University. The recipient of the inaugural Rising Visionary Award is Araba Otoo, third-year optometry student, at The Ohio State University. Both award recipients will have the opportunity to present at the Ninth Annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, to be held as a virtual online event due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health is named for Mrs. Jenny Pomeroy, who served as CEO of Prevent Blindness Georgia from 1996 until 2013, and was an advocate for championing the role of public health in vision and eye care services and programs. The annual award recognizes an individual, team, or organization that has made significant contributions to the advancement of public health related to vision and eye health at the community, state, national, and/or international level.

The CVRP, led by program director Rebecca Coakley, MA, CLVT, was selected by a volunteer committee for the programs innovative approach to respond to the individual needs of visually impaired children, teachers, parents, and related professionals in West Virginia. Founded in 1996, the CVRP has a three-pronged approach in meeting the needs of blind/visually impaired children by:

To help children succeed outside of the classroom, the CVRP began a program to assist in mastering skills in relation to independent living, communication, organization, self-help, socialization, and self-advocacy. Last year, the CVRP held four events for visually-impaired students: adventure camp, summer day camp, technology camp, and an orientation and mobility weekend trip to New York City. The CVRP and its low vision services continue to serve as a model for programs both nationally and internationally, including countries such as Canada and Egypt.

Araba Otoo, a third-year optometry student at The Ohio State University, was selected as the first recipient of the Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award. The award recognizes an optometry student or resident, ophthalmology resident, or other health care professional student or resident in the United States who has the best essay based on a question related to the 2020 Focus on Eye Health National Summit theme, An Eye to the Future. Otoos essay featured ideas on public education and awareness tactics to create the most impactful change to improve the future outlook of vision and eye health.

By working together, and learning from the successful efforts of those who are making a significant impact on the vision and eye health in their communities, we can help to expand those efforts across the country, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. We not only congratulate the CVRP team on their receipt of the 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, but thank them for their outstanding work. We look forward to Ms. Araba Otoos impact as she continues her career providing sight-saving services.

For more information on the Prevent Blindness Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, please visit here. Information on the Prevent Blindness Rising Visionary Award may be found here. Or, contact Nita Sinha, director of Public Health, at (800) 331-2020 or [emailprotected].

Originally posted here:
Prevent Blindness Announces Recipients of 2020 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health, and Rising Visionary Award -...

An acquaintance of Lindsay McMichael says she would use her dads position in the DAs office for personal gain.

We are learning more about the sister of Ahmaud Arberys accused killer.

The Sun, a UK-based tabloid newspaper reported last week that Lindsay McMichael posted a picture of Arberys body on Snapchat the day he was killed.

Lindsay McMichaels brother, Travis McMichael, and father, Greg McMichael are charged with felony murder in the case.

Lindsay McMichael reportedly told the tabloid she posted the picture because shes a true crime fan.

Jennifer Smith is an acquaintance of Lindsay McMichael.

Smith says she was disgusted when learning the graphic photograph was posted on Snapchat.

She gave an interview with the Sun saying shes a true crime fan, thats why she did it. And I find it so lacking of empathy, Smith said.

Smith met Lindsay McMichael at a mutual friends baby shower. Smith also graduated from Brunswick High School the same year as Travis McMichael, Arberys accused killer.

In 2012, Smith and Lindsay McMichael were in a driver education class together.

She never took the class seriously, she made a joke of it and took it so lightly, Smith added.

Smith also said Lindsay McMichael claimed she could use her dads position as an investigator in the Brunswick District Attorneys Office for personal gain.

"She would often tout that, because her dad knows somebody that's why I didn't get in trouble," Smith said.

First Coast News has tried reaching out to the McMichaels for comment.

Lindsay McMichael told The Sun that posting a picture of Arberys body was poor judgment.

Smith thinks the shooting and the actions of the McMichael family are unacceptable.

Theres no reason to use a gun to make a citizens arrest, Smith believes.

Smith says she wanted to speak on the matter because of who Travis [McMichael] was growing up with him in high school and Lindsay McMichaels complete lack of insight to her wrongdoings in my tenure of knowing her.

She says she knew Travis McMichael through mutual friends but had no direct connection with him.

Attorneys for Greg and Travis McMichael have said that not all facts of the case have come to light and that their clients are innocent.

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Claim: Lindsay McMichaels post of Ahmaud Arberys body shows 'blindness to empathy and humanity' - FirstCoastNews.com WTLV-WJXX

Scientists have claimed a bionic eye could be here in just five years.

It is the second breakthrough in the medical fight to beat blindness announced in the past month.

The worlds first 3D artificial eyeball creates images using tiny sensors that mimic light-detecting cells found in a human eye.

And it could even be capable of sharper vision than the real thing, say the scientists behind it.

Professor Zhiyong Fan, from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said: Our biomimetic eye has a size comparable to a human eye a bit more than 2cm in diameter. It can be used for visual prosthesis to help the blind or those visually impaired.

It can lead to a bionic eye.

News of the device comes after US scientists found they could restore vision by using a device that sends images from a camera straight into the brain.

Most adults lose their sight due to damage to the eyes or optic nerve. Researchers now think implanted electrodes can be stimulated to trace out shapes on the surface of the brain.

That would allow blind people to see again.

Previous attempts to stimulate the visual cortex have been far less successful.

Professor Michael Beauchamp, who is working on the study at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, said the next step would be to work with brain engineers to increase the number of electrodes used and make better images possible.

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World's first 'bionic eyeball' that could help beat blindness could be in use by 2025 - Daily Star

Hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat lupus and rheumatological disorder, has received a massive amount of publicity this year. The reason? Its role in the Covid-19 pandemic.

The drug made headlines after being proposed as a preventative measure (prophylaxis) against Covid-19, as reported in theNew York Times.

While hydroxychloroquine has generally fewer side-effects than its cousin chloroquine, which was also researched as a possible Covid-19 treatment, it was generally declared as ineffective against the novel coronavirus, based on several studies.

But, besides the fact that the hydroxychloroquine hype may cause those who really need the medicine for lupus not being able to find it, the drug can also have irreversible side effects, as discussed in the journal Nature.

Hydroxychloroquines effect on your eyes

Toxic retinopathy is a condition where vision is impaired as a result of optic nerves being damaged by a toxin, such as found in some medications.

Several previous studies have acknowledged that long-term use of hydroxychloroquine may lead to this condition. But with the heightened interest in hydroxychloroquine during the Covid-19 pandemic, the European Reference Network for Rare Eye Disease became especially concerned about the drugs role in toxic retinopathy, especially in patients who already have inherited retinal dystrophy (a condition where one or both eyes lose vision over time).

Retinopathy caused by hydroxychloroquine is also sometimes referred to as bulls-eye maculopathy, as the condition affecting the retina surrounding the macula resembles a target or bulls-eye ring.

At first, the central vision isnt affected, but a ring of disrupted vision around the centre of the eye is experienced. As it progresses to the centre of the eye, the entire vision can be affected and vision loss is permanent in most cases.

Those who are chronically on hydroxychloroquine for anti-rheumatic purposes or the treatment of lupus are generally more at risk, and should undergo comprehensive eye exams more often.

But according to Nature, not only patients on chronic hydroxychloroquine are in danger, but also those who take it as self-medication without supervision by a medical professional.

If a person suffers from any comorbidity such as renal impairment or obesity, they are also more likely to be at risk of vision loss.

Other problems with hydroxychloroquine

Besides the retinal effect of hydroxychloroquine, there are many other systemic side-effects that can be experienced when this drug is taken for the wrong reasons and in the wrong quantities.

One of these iscardiac complications that can potentially be fatal. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has also issued a statement that hydroxychloroquine should not be taken without supervision by your medical advisor, as this may lead to heart rhythm irregularities.

Earlier in April 2020, Health24 published anarticledebating the potential of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as a Covid-19 treatment.

Professor Wolfgang Preiserfrom the Division of Medical Virology at the University of Stellenbosch recently stated that the evidence of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine being beneficial in Covid-19 patients is minimal, and generally flawed, and that panic buying could prevent those who depend on the drug for existing conditions from getting it.

Image credit:

Compiled by Marelize Wilke

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Covid-19: Amid caution over use of hydroxychloroquine, experts warn of possible irreversible blindness - Health24

Actress Victoria Smurfit is throwing an online raffle with a prize of a three-night stay in a luxury hotel on an island as part of her eldest daughter's efforts to fight blindness.

Smurfit, who made in her name in nineties drama Ballykissangel playing Orla OConnell, has teamed up with her eldest daughter, 15-year-old Evie, who has a vision disease, to offer the prize. Entrants can take part by donating five pounds, Euro, or dollars at fightingblindness.ie.For more information check outSmurfits Twitter and Instagram pages.

Speaking to Marty Morrissey on Marty in the Shed on the RT Player from her home in London, the actress said: "Evie is my eldest and shes an astonishing kid, she really is. About three years ago she was diagnosed with Stargardt macular dystrophy and she islosing your central vision.

"Its hugely unfair. Since then, shes done a huge amount of work for the RNIB to fight blindness and part of Evies work as an ambassador to fight blindness is that were doing this raffle."

The draw will take place on May 29 and the winner will be flown via private jet from a private airport outside London to a boutique hotel called the Blonde Hedgehog in Guernsey.

During her chat with Marty, the actress, also recalled her days on Ballykissangel, which ran from 1996 to 2001, and said the show was her big break.

"Before that, Id done a couple of period dramas. Run of the Country with Albert Finney was my first big job but in terms of viewership, Bally K was a biggie. Id be walking down Fifth Avenue in New York and people would go, 'Oh my god! Is that Orla! so that was the big change."

She also talked about her movie roles, saying, "I only had a tiny, wee part in The Beach but Leonardo DiCaprio was very welcoming and kind. Hugh Grant made me laugh my head off in About a Boy."

Asked how shes coping in lockdown, Smurfit said, "Im coping, Im coping because you have to, right? Ive got a roof over my head, Ive got a garden, the kids are healthy.

"Theres lots of upsides and also I live on a golf course but dont tell them because every once in a while, Ill pour myself a glass of wine and Ill walk around to the nearest bunker and Ill put my feet in it and Ill pretend Im at the beach. Theres a creative element to lockdown."

Click here to watch Marty in the Shed on the RT Player

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Victoria Smurfit throws raffle to fight blindness Television / 25 May - RTE.ie

Michael Chaglasian, OD, FAAO, is chief of staff at the Illionois Eye Institute

Stacy Potwin, OD, FAAO, is a staff optometrist at the Veterans Affairs community-based outreach clinic in Charleston, WV

Abstract / Synopsis:

Children are not just miniature adults, and a variety of factors need to be considered when diagnosing and treating pediatric glaucoma patients.

Many of the questions ODs have about adults with glaucoma suspicion are the same for children: Who will go on to develop glaucoma, and why do some children respond well to treatment and others do not?

In many ways, pediatric glaucoma has completely different concerns than adult glaucoma: Children have their whole lives to lose vision from glaucoma, the treatment has numerous years to cause side effects, and many pediatric glaucoma patients will require significantly more surgeries than adults with glaucoma.

Pediatric glaucoma can become aggressive very quickly. Children can lose vision from the glaucoma itself but, unlike adults, can have permanent vision loss from amblyopia and corneal scarring that occur before treatment. Treating an infant, child or adolescent with glaucoma requires a team approach, and optometrists have an important role to play.

Related:Know what common glaucoma mistakes to avoid

Childhood blindness occurs in 0.03 percent of children in high income countries and up to 0.12 percent in undeveloped countries worldwide. Glaucoma accounts for 4.2 to 5 percent of childhood blindness. The main cause of vision impairment in children with glaucoma is amblyopia.1

Primary congenital glaucomaAccounting for 50 to 70 percent of childhood glaucoma, primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is the most common form.

PCG is diagnosed from birth to early childhood (80 percent in the first year of life). There is reduced aqueous outflow through an abnormally developed filtration angle/trabecular meshwork, which begins to form in the fourth gestational month and reaches adult structure by age 8.1-3 PCG has an autosomal recessive inheritance.4 It is bilateral 70 to 75 percent of the time, and can be asymmetric.1,4

Early diagnosis is imperative because PCG can be aggressive, and children can lose vision quickly. Interestingly, if treatment is successfully performed early enough, glaucomatous cupping can actually be reversed, owing to the immature, elastic lamina cribrosa.1,2,4,5

Related: Glaucoma facts: Essential perspectives for long-term management

References:

1. Marchini G, Toscani M, Chemello F. Pediatric glaucoma: current perspectives. Pediatric Health Med Ther. 2014;5:15-27.2. Karmel M. Childhood glaucoma. EyeNet Magazine. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/childhood-glaucoma?august-2016. Accessed 5/20/20.3. Karmel M. Caring for children with congenital glaucoma. EyeNet Magazine. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/caring-children-with-congenital-glauc.... Accessed 5/20/20.4. Freedman S. Managing pediatric patients with glaucoma. Review Ophthal. 2016 May 10;23(5):80-84.5. Freedman SF. Pediatric glaucoma. Glaucoma Today. 2006 Jul/Aug:25-28.6. Ho CL, Walton DS. Primary congenital glaucoma: 2004 update. J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2004 Sep-Oct;41(5):271-288.7. Do A, Panarelli JF. Pediatric MIGS. Glaucoma Today. 2017 Mar/Apr:48-49.8. Chang TCP. MIGS in kids. Glaucoma Today. 2016 Sept/Oct:54-56.9. Huang W. Pediatric glaucoma: A review of the basics. Rev Ophthalmol. 2014 April;21(4):76-80.10. Giangiacomo A, Beck A. Pediatric glaucoma: review of recent literature. Curr Opin Ophthal. 2017 Mar;28(2):199-203.11. Beck A. Evaluating and managing optic disc cupping in children. Glaucoma Today. 2009 Jan/Feb:26-28.12. Bar-Sela SM, Feldman RM. Diagnosing and managing ocular hypertension in teenagers. Glaucoma Today. 2009 Jan/Feb:29-32.13. Chak G, Mosaed S, Minckler DS. Diagnosing and managing juvenile open-angle glaucoma. EyeNet Magazine. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/diagnosing-managing-juvenile-openangl.... Accessed 5/20/20.14. Black AC, Jones S, Yanovitch TL, Enyedi LB, Stinnett SS, Freedman SF. Latanoprost in pediatric glaucoma--pediatric exposure over a decade. J AAPOS. 2009 Dec;13(6):558-562.15. Nuyen B, Weinreb RN, Robbins SL. Steroid-induced glaucoma in the pediatric population. J AAPOS. 2017 Feb;21(1):1-6.16. Stuart A. The challenge of diagnosing pediatric glaucoma. EyeNet Magazine. 2009 Nov/Dec. Available at: https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/challenge-of-diagnosing-pediatric-gla.... Accessed 5/20/20.17. Greenberg MB, Osigian CJ, Cavuoto KM, Chang TC. Clinical management of outcomes of childhood glaucoma suspects. PLoS ONE. 2017 Sep;12(9):e0185546.18. Walton DS. Managing the pediatric glaucomas. Glaucoma Today. 2009 Jan/Feb:21-24.

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Pediatric glaucoma: types, tests and treatments - Optometry Times

THE coronavirus is not political. It is an act of nature. It is random fate.

It arrived in these green Irish hills. It arrived on English streets.

It arrived in the vast spaces of the USA. It arrived on the warm beaches of Brazil.

It arrived everywhere.

The world scrabbled to deal with it and even the best made it up as they went along.

The stark biology of it made us confront the simple, human, fact of our own mortality.

It was inevitable, too, that there would be mistakes.

Irelands death rate, for instance, could have been better.

We locked down just that little bit too late. We made mistakes with our nursing homes that constitute a pretty damaging oversight.

Each and every death was a sadness and even as I write this, with our first day without a single coronavirus death just announced, we remember that.

Yet, just as the virus itself was not political, the response to it clearly was.

It cannot be an accident, even to the most willingly biased, that the countries with the worst global death rates are the likes of the UK, the USA, Brazil and Russia.

It does not take a student of world politics to see the comparisons between the political leadership of those countries.

Indeed, it would have to be a willing blindness, not to see the macho, nationalistic, bombastic, blustering nature of the men in charge of those countries.

The virus in those countries has been no different from the virus in other countries. It has not been, of itself, more deadly or more contagious.

The virus did not act politically when it arrived beneath Westminster Bridge, outside the Kremlin, around Times Square or on Rios beaches.

Those governments responded politically and their politics caused deaths. People died because of decisions they made and didnt make.

I dont know about Johnson or Trump or Putin or Bolsonaro but that would haunt me.

So we are once again left watching our friends and family in the UK, or in England to be more precise, and wondering just how you put up with this.

We are watching Dominic Cummings stumble his way through an explanation for his contravention of his own governments rules with a dismissive arrogance that is awe-inspiring.

One rule for them and one rule for you?

Well, these are the Tories you know. That is an essential part of Tory philosophy.

Do you not think it has been a part of Boris Johnsons personal conduct his entire life?

Being applauded for your actions as a father by Boris Johnson is like being recommended for your approach to truth telling by Donald Trump.

The great English writer George Orwell went, many years before, to the same school as Boris Johnson and Orwell, an avowed truth teller, said it taught him nothing except how to be a snob.

One rule for them, for Johnson and Cummings, and one rule for you? Is the Pope a Catholic?

The coronavirus is not political.

It is an act of nature. It is random fate.

But many coronavirus deaths have been political.

In Birmingham and London and Manchester and Sheffield people lie in their graves because Johnson and Cummings made decisions based on such ideas as the fact that you should stay at home but they should drive to local beauty spots to check that their eyesight was okay.

I am beginning to wonder if the new test of suitability for political power might be who can tell the most ludicrous, farcical, story without their soul crumbling.

When Bertie Ahern lied to us about his finances and said hed won unaccounted for money on the horses he did so with a corrupt flourish.

We all knew he was lying it was simply a matter of whether you went along with it or not.

Ahern was a spoofer and hed been found out and he knew it.

Political lies now are more frightening in that they are told as if they should be believed.

Trump denying he has said something weve all heard him say and have recorded.

Johnson lying about the NHS and Brexit, driving around in a bus emblazoned with the lie, and then denying it.

Cummings breaking all the virus guidelines and then denying he did so.

People believe all manner of things but believing in lies that are clearly and unambiguously lies is beyond explanation.

Bertie Ahern is a liar. Donald Trump is a liar. Boris Johnson is a liar.

And Dominic Cummings also now appears to be a liar too.

And those people who have died because of political mismanagement during the pandemic arent really alive.

They are dead. And Im not lying.

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One rule for them, another for you how the coronavirus became political - Irish Post

Kerrisa Wilson, CP24.com Published Wednesday, May 27, 2020 11:45AM EDT Last Updated Wednesday, May 27, 2020 12:18PM EDT

York Regional Police have laid charges in two separate incidents and are investigating a third after a police helicopter was struck by multiple laser pointers.

On May 21, around 11:25 p.m., police say Air2 was on a general patrol over the area of Rutherford Rd. and Islington Ave., in Vaughan, when it was struck by a bright light.

The crew was able to direct officers to the location of the suspect outside of a residence on Ronan Cr.

A 44-year-old man from Vaughan was arrested and charged with mischief endangering life, endangering security of an aircraft in flight and unlawfully projecting bright light into navigable airspace.

Following this incident, police say Air2 was struck by a laser again on May 22 in Markham. Just before midnight, the helicopter was in the area of Birchmount Rd. and Enterprise Blvd. assisting on a break and enter investigation when it was hit multiple times by a laser.

The suspect was believed to be on a balcony of a hotel on Birchmount. Officers attended the location and arrested the suspect.

A 52-year-old man from Markham is facing the same three charges as the other individual, plus obstructing police charges.

Meanwhile, police are looking for a third suspect in connection with an incident that occured on May 23. At around 11:30 p.m., police say Air2 was hit by a laser while on general patrol near Bathurst St. and Jefferson Sideroad in Richmond Hill. No suspect information has been released.

Police say laser pointers can have serious consequences for pilots as they can cause flash blindness. Health Canada says this reaction is similar to what happens during flash photography, where the image of the flash remains in your eyes for a few seconds then fades away.

Anyone with information about the third laser strike incident is asked to contact police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

Link:
Charges laid after three incidents of laser strikes on York Regional Police helicopter - CP24 Toronto's Breaking News

Ophthalmic Sutures Market will exceed USD 443.5 million by 2025; as per a new research report.

Increasing incidences of ocular diseases will prove beneficial for market growth in forthcoming years. Prevalence of eye conditions such as hyperopia, myopia, glaucoma, cataract, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration is rising from past few years. According to WHO, 51% of world blindness occur due to cataract. As a result, physicians recommend surgical procedures to cure ophthalmic diseases, that will augment demand for surgical sutures, thereby propelling business growth.

Technological advancement in ophthalmic sutures will escalate industry growth. Industry players are emphasizing on development of suture that will enhance post-surgical outcomes. Infection of eye leads to hazardous repercussions such as endophthalmitis, bacterial keratitis, corneal ulceration, inflammation and edema. Companies are developing sutures that will supply antibiotics and levofloxacin to prevent ocular infections resulting in patient convenience. As a result, adoption for these sutures is expected to rise thereby augmenting business growth. However, dearth of trained ophthalmologists may hamper business growth up to certain extent.

Request sample copy of this report @ https://www.decresearch.com/request-sample/detail/3358

Synthetic sutures segment is anticipated to witness around 5% CAGR over the analysis timeframe. Significant growth is attributed to several benefits associated with synthetic sutures. Synthetic suture consists of nylon, prolene, dacron, etc. These material offer strong and prolonged support for slowly healing ocular tissues. Additionally, synthetic sutures cause minimum tissue reaction, has enhanced handling properties, passes easily through tissues, and has superior strength. Aforementioned benefits provided by synthetic sutures will augment the demand, thereby fueling segment growth.

Non-absorbable sutures segment held more than 62% revenue share in 2018. Non-absorbable sutures are made of natural and synthetic polymers. These sutures have high tensile strength and provides knot security. Nonabsorbable sutures are recommended for oculoplastic surgery. Moreover, non-absorbable sutures are unaffected by biologic activities of body tissues and remains intact until they are removed. Benefits offered by these sutures will increase its adoption, thereby augmenting its demand.

Corneal transplantation surgery segment is estimated to witness more than 6% growth over the forthcoming years. According to Eye bank of association of America, in 2016, 82,994 corneal graft tissues were utilized in the U.S. alone. Moreover, there is an increase is corneal donors since past few years. Increasing number of corneal donors coupled with unmet demand will increase surgical procedures. This scenario proves beneficial for segmental growth.

Make Inquiry about this report @ https://www.decresearch.com/inquiry-before-buying/3358

Ambulatory surgical centers segment held around 65% revenue share in 2018 and estimated to witness substantial growth in analysis timeframe. Patients prefer ASCs due to superior quality treatment, minimally invasive surgeries and low cost offered by these healthcare settings. ASCs provide good assistance, high quality equipment and infection control in ophthalmic surgical procedures that reduces the post operations complications.

Asia Pacific ophthalmic surgical market is projected to witness around 6% growth over analysis timeframe. Aging population, changing lifestyle and lack of exercise are increasing the prevalence of ophthalmic diseases and associated risk conditions such as diabetes. Growing patient pool in the region will create need for ophthalmic surgical procedures ultimately augmenting ophthalmic sutures market growth.

Prominent industry players operational in the ophthalmic sutures market include B.Braun, Medtronic, Ethicon(J&J), Teleflex, Smith& Nephew, Conmed Corporation, DemeTEch Corporation, Gore Medical, Surgical Specialties Corporation, SUTUMED. Key industry players adopt strategic initiatives such as acquisitions and new product launches, that enable them in sustaining market competition. For instance, Teleflex developed BONDEK PLUS BRAIDED that has characteristics such as lubricity and smoothness. This product received FDA clearance on October 2018 for ophthalmic procedures. Company offers customization in the product to serve the needs of patients. This strategy will enable company to gain competitive advantage.

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Ophthalmic Sutures Market 2019 Global Analysis, Opportunities And Forecast To 2025 - Cole of Duty

(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO In order to help patients with Inherited Retinal Diseases (IRDs) receive an accurate diagnosis through genetic testing, Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health organization, is embarking on a new awareness initiative to educate the public on IRDs, a group of genetic disorders that can cause severe vision loss or total blindness. A recent editorial noted that IRDs are the leading cause of vision loss in persons between 15 and 45 years of age- impacting one in every 2,000 people.

To continue the Prevent Blindness mission of preventing blindness and saving sight, the group has declared May 17-23, 2020 as Inherited Retinal Disease Genetic Testing Week. As part of this initiative, Prevent Blindness has created a dedicated webpage (to go live on May 15, 2020) with no-cost educational resources on IRDs, providing detailed information on risk factors, therapy and research options, financial assistance services, the importance of genetic testing, and more. Shareable social media graphics on IRDs are also available. Development of these new resources was supported by a donation from Spark Therapeutics, a gene therapy company striving to challenge the inevitability of genetic disease.

The most common types of IRDs include:

All those diagnosed with IRDs should work with their healthcare professional to develop a disease management plan tailored to the patients needs.

Patients with suspected IRDs are encouraged to participate in genetic testing, even those who were tested more than five years ago and did not receive a definitive result. According to the National Institutes of Health, genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test may provide a detailed diagnosis which confirms or rules out most suspected genetic conditions and the test can help determine a persons chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder to their children. Free genetic testing is now available from select organizations and commercial businesses, including through the ID YOUR IRD program.

Inherited retinal diseases can have a significant impact on the quality of life for patients, including affecting the ability to work and live independently, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. Fortunately, today there are more therapies being researched than ever before. We encourage patients and their caregivers to educate themselves on steps that can be taken today to save sight for tomorrow.

As a leading gene therapy company with a strong commitment to genetic testing for the IRD community, Spark Therapeutics is pleased to support the Prevent Blindness inaugural IRD Genetic Testing Week, said Dan Chung, DO, MA, ophthalmology therapeutic area leader, Spark Therapeutics. We encourage patients living with IRDs and caregivers to pursue genetic testing in order to receive a true, genetic diagnosis.

For more information on IRDs and genetic testing for vision issues, please call Prevent Blindness at (800) 331-2020 or visit here. For a listing of vision care financial assistance programs in English or Spanish, visit here.

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Prevent Blindness Offers New Educational Resources on IRD's, Importance of Genetic Testing and Services - InvisionMag