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We are in front of computer screens more than ever before. What does that mean with staying eye healthy?

August is Children's Eye Health and Safety Month, perfectly positioned for parents as a reminder to add a visit to the optometrist to your back-to-school checklist. Only this year, eye safety is more important than ever before.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, kids and adults alike are spending more time in front of a computer screen than ever before. Children are taking school classes at home virtually, while many parents are still working from home. That means increased screen time, and the potential for eye damage if you're not careful.

"Any time youre spending more than two hours continuously staring at a screen, we are worried about digital eyestrain and discomfort," said Dr. Katherine White is an optometrist with Kirn Family Eye Care in Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County.

Dr. White suggests good eye health starts with a comfortable workspace. A chair with good back support will help prevent neck strain. A flat surface slightly below eye level for a laptop or computer kept about an arm's reach away will prevent digital eye strain, and ultimately keep you from getting headaches.

White recommends everyone working from home subscribe to the '20-20-20 rule': That's every 20 minutes, you should look across the room, at least 20 feet away, for about 20 seconds. If you can get outside, Dr. White says simply taking a break away from your screen will help eye sight. If not, try to rest your eyes for 15 minutes every two hours with no other screens around.

For kids, it is recommended they stop using electronics at least an hour before bed time. Doctor White says studies have shown the more screen time closer to bed, the tougher it is to fall asleep.

Symptoms such as dry eyes, irritation or burning, or headaches should be responded with a call to an optometrist and a visit to the eye doctor.

More here:
Eye health in a pandemic: Keeping vision safe with increased screen time - 13newsnow.com WVEC

The Subaru 2020 Levorg mid-size touring wagon was made available for pre-order last month and introduced a range of features such as a new 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine and continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). But perhaps the most exciting feature is on the safety front, as the car is the first in the Subaru fleet to contain the companys next-generation EyeSight ADAS technology.

The EyeSight stereo-based vision system assists with passenger safety with three key feature sets. Adaptive cruise control (ACC) optimizes vehicle speed during highway driving; lane keep assist (LKA) helps prevent cars from swerving out of their lane; and auto de-acceleration, pre-collision braking, and hands-off driving functionality monitor surrounding traffic and provide mechanisms for avoiding unintended acceleration, head-on collisions, and other serious accidents (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The EyeSight platform consists of two stereo cameras and accepts inputs from four radars positioned around the vehicle.

The EyeSight platform consists of two color stereo cameras mounted on the inside of the Levorgs windshield near the cars rearview mirror. The cameras, as well as four external radars, capture images of cars, pedestrians, lane dividers, traffic, etc., which the system then analyzes and, if needed, sends signals to various control systems like steering or brakes to take corrective action (Figure 2). These actions could include accelerating, decelerating, changing direction, flashing lights, honking, and other methods of alerting drivers of possible danger.

Figure 2. Subarus EyeSight Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) uses stereo vision to help motorists avoid collisions, pedestrians, and other road hazards.

By being able to monitor traffic and take action in dangerous driving situations, the next-generation ADAS subsystem is essentially an extra pair of eyes on the road.

In developing its latest stereo vision-based ADAS technology, Subaru enlisted programmable processing vendor, Xilinx. The main compute engine on the Eyesight system is an ASIL-rated, 16 nm Zynq UltraScale+ multi-processor system-on-a-chip (MPSoC), which integrates a 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53 core, two Arm Cortex-R5 real-time cores, and programmable logic that provides hardware flexibility for a range of functions (Figure 3).

Figure 3. The Subaru EyeSight ADAS system is based on a Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC with multiple Arm cores and programmable logic fabric.

In the EyeSight system, the Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC fuses data from four radar sensors on the Levorg; performs image detection, classification, and perception operations; and delivers that information to the Levorg braking system. The MPSoCs 16 nm process technology provides the performance needed for stereo processing of radar data and the conversion of that data into 3D point clouds (Figure 3).

Figure 3. The MPSoC in the EyeSight ADAS system process radar data and convert them into point clouds so that object detection algorithms can be applied.

The Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoCs Cortex-A53 subsystem handles real-time video, graphics, waveform, and packet processing, while the R5 cores and video codec unit (VCU) execute motor control, sensor fusion, wireless communication, and other multimedia tasks. Available as an automotive-grade platform with multiple power domains, the MPSoC delivers exceptional performance per watt operation as well as functional safety and security features.

Unlike common approaches, the image processing technology adopted in our new generation system scans everything captured by stereo cameras and creates high-precision 3D point clouds, enabling us to offer advanced features such as pre-collision braking at an intersection and assisting with hands-off driving in traffic congestion on a highway, says Tetsuo Fujinuki, CTO at Subaru. Because Xilinx automotive devices contain built-in capabilities that allow us to meet strict ASIL requirements, they are unquestionably the best technology to implement Subarus new ADAS vision system.

Subarus Eyesight technology received the highest IIHS rating in 2019-20, and is designed to provide drivers with safe and tested technology that can accurately react to driving scenarios. Of course, none of this is possible without advanced computational capabilities afforded by the automotive-grade Zynq UltraScale+ MPSoC.

The MPSoC is doing all of the detection, classification, and perception on the EyeSight, and providing input to the braking system. Its also doing sensor fusion of the radar inputs, says Willard Tu, Senior Director of Automotive at Xilinx. Everybody realizes that the more sensors you put on cars, the richer the fusion of data you get.

This is a super opportunity for programmable logic, he adds.

For more information, visit Xilinx website.

Tiera Oliver, edtorial intern for Embedded Computing Design, is responsible for web content edits as well as newsletter updates. She also assists in news content as far as constructing and editing stories. Before interning for ECD, Tiera had recently graduated from Northern Arizona University where she received her B.A. in journalism and political science and worked as a news reporter for the university's student led newspaper, The Lumberjack.

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Guess What's Under the Hood of the Subaru Levorg? ADAS and Programmable Logic - Embedded Computing Design

Vision Care Market analysis on the global market is an in-depth study that provides an arrangement of efficient market authenticities. The study shows statistics on the market status of the leading market players and offers key trends and opportunities in the market. The analysis of the global market begins with an industry-based framework and outlines the current information of the global market, complemented by current status records.

Vision care is the care and treatment of eyes, eyesight conditions, and vision. The exploding use of electronic devices for everyday functioning has also been related to eye disorders. In recent years, the use of technology has particularly increased among children. Studies suggest excessive use of electronic devices could lead to eye disorders. This indirectly is stoking demand for vision care products.

Ask for Sample Copy of This Report: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00011953/

Top Key Players Profiled in This Report:

Alcon, Bausch and Lomb, Carl Zeiss, CooperVision, Essilor, Johnson & Johnson, LUXOTTICA GROUP, Rodenstock, Safilo Group, ZEISS

The key questions answered in the report:

The vision care market is driving due to the rising geriatric population more susceptible to eye diseases and technological advances in eye care devices. Moreover, the raise awareness for eye health and to address vision-related problems is also serving to boost the vision care market.

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This research report represents a comprehensive overview of the competitive landscape of the Vision Care Market. Furthermore, it offers massive data relating to the recent trends, technological advancements, facts and figures, and methodologies. The research report analyzes the global market in a detailed and concise manner for better insights into the businesses.

Research studies have taken the help of graphical presentation techniques such as information graphics, charts, tables and diagrams. This Vision Care provides guidelines for both established players and new entrants in the market.

A detailed expansion of the Global Vision Care Market has been provided by applying industry analysis techniques such as SWOT analysis. Collectively, this research report provides a reliable assessment of the global market to present the overall structure of the businesses.

Interested in Purchasing this Report Click @ https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00011953/

Some Points of Table of Contents:

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. Vision Care Market Key Takeaways

Chapter 3. Research Methodology

Chapter 4. Global Vision Care Market Market Landscape

Chapter 5. Global Vision Care market Key Market Dynamics

Chapter 6. Vision Care Market Global Analysis

Chapter 7 to 9. Detail Market Segmentation

Chapter 10. Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic On Global Rare Neurological Diseases Treatment Market

Chapter 11. Vision Care Market Industry Landscape

Chapter 12. Company Profiles

Chapter 13. Appendix

About Us:

The Insight Partners offer our clients an opportunity to customize our off the shelf syndicated reports at no additional cost. This provides our clients with precise intelligence they require in turn saving them thousands of dollars in commissioning large consulting studies. The Insight Partners specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials.

Contact:

Contact Person: Sameer Joshi

Phone: +1-646-491-9876

Email ID: [emailprotected]

Website: http://www.theinsightpartners.com

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Vision Care Market Covid-19 Scenario, Growth Opportunities, And Forecast 2027 | Alcon, Bausch and Lomb, Carl Zeiss, CooperVision, Essilor - Scientect

11-year-old George has found a new family.

11-year-old George was rescued when he was a young stray.

Sadly, his owner died and he was taken to Cats Protection on Gildersome Lane in Morley.

While there he had a routine vet appointment where they found cancer in his eye.

Unfortunately, his eye had to be removed.

Luckily, George has now found his forever home.

He has been adopted by Kate, from Gildersome, who is partially sighted due to her Usher syndrome diagnosis.

Usher syndrome is a degenerative condition that causes hearing and vision loss.

Kate said: I saw George on the Cats Protection website and, having begun to lose part of my sight in the past few years, I immediately fell in love with this gorgeous chap.

Having only one eye certainly hasnt held him back.

He loves joining us for story time with my five-year-old daughter, and, while he prefers to stay close to home, hes been out walking along fences and climbing trees.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, Kate could not visit George before he was adopted, instead getting to know him through videos.

She said: George was delivered directly to our door and he settled in straight away, following us around and giving us cuddles."

Cats Protection rehoming and welfare assistant Diane Armer said: George was particularly popular with everyone at the centre, he has such a fantastic personality.

It is so lovely to hear that George has settled in so well.

A message from the Editor: Leeds has a fantastic story to tell - and the Yorkshire Evening Post has been rooted firmly at the heart of telling the stories of our city since 1890. We believe in ourselves and hope you believe in us too. We need your support to help ensure we can continue to be at the heart of life in Leeds. Subscribe to our website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe. For more details on our newspaper subscription offers click here.

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Cat who lost eye to cancer finds forever home with partially sighted owner in Leeds - Yorkshire Evening Post

A HEALTHY 11-year-old girl can no longer string a sentence together after being diagnosed with dementia.

Molly Ingham was diagnosed with a rare form of childhood dementia in May last year after she started to lose her eyesight, memory and mobility.

5

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The normal outgoing little girl started having seizures when she was just six-years-old.

Batten disease robs children of their speech and sufferers of the disease rarely make it to adulthood.

Mum Adele Ingham, 39, said Molly can become confused because of the condition and now has to use a wheelchair as she no longer has any balance.

She said: "It's been devastating to watch the most outgoing little girl that could do everything every other six-year-old could do go into this situation.

It's soul destroying. It affects short term memory so she won't take in new things.

She started a special school last September and made lots of friends but she can't remember any of their names now.

What is Batten disease?

Batten disease, otherwise known as Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinoses, is a fatal disorder that affects the nervous system.

The condition, which typically begins in childhood, can manifest itself in vision problems and seizures.

It can then worsen, with children suffering from cognitive impairment, worsening seizures, and progressive loss of sight and motor skills.

It is often fatal by late teens or early 20s.

According to BDFA UK, an estimated 1 3 children are diagnosed with an infantile form of the disease each year, meaning there are probably between 15 and 30 affected children in the UK.

There are other variations of the genetic disease, with 14 strains so far diagnosed.

There is currently no cure

5

The family live in Stalybridge, Greater Manchester and Adele said Molly has started to ask her when she can go home, but she asks the question when they are already home.

She added: There's a lot of confusion.

"My dad died two and a half years ago and she still wants to go in when we drive past his flat.

She used to know every word to every Disney song now she can't even string a sentence together.

"She can't see anymore. I just bought her a new Olaf toy and she didn't know what it was until she felt his carrot nose.

5

Molly used to be able to ride scooters, go to the park and use the climbing frames - like any other child, but now things have changed.

"Everything just started becoming more difficult so now she's in a wheelchair because she's got no balance and she'll fall and hurt herself.

I might have only a few years left with her and that's being positive.

Adele said Molly was a perfectly healthy child until she turned six when teachers started to notice her zoning out and she began having seizures.

Soon after Molly was taken to see a paediatrician who suggested ADHD or a low IQ but after a second opinion, she was diagnosed with absence epilepsy until the condition progressed and her seizures became more frequent.

5

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Adele worries she doesn't have much time left with Molly and is currently waiting to find out if her daughter has been accepted for a treatment trial in the US.

The mum and daughter would have to travel to Dallas to a centre called Taysha Gene Therapy.

The cost would be covered by the company as its a trial but the spaces are limited.

Adele added: "The treatment won't bring her eyesight back but it might help her to say the odd sentence instead of the odd word so there's still hope and a lot of fighting to do but I won't stop."

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Our perfectly healthy daughter can no longer string a sentence together after being diagnosed with dementia - The Sun

"CooperVision received FDA-approval of the MiSight 1 day contact lens on Nov. 15, 2019, making the United States our 18th market worldwide. This reinforced CooperVision as a leader in the myopia management category," said Daniel G. McBride, President of CooperVision. "In this particular moment in time, with so many children learning virtually and spending less time outdoors, the topic of myopia management is more relevant than ever before. As category creators and leaders in the myopia management sector, we believe it is our responsibility and privilege, alongside the optometric community, to educate parents and offer them tools to help their children who may be struggling with myopia. Our decision to make this sizable investment in educating parents is consistent with our view that addressing myopia early is vitally important."

This new, multichannel direct-to-consumer advertising campaign featuring Gellar will highlight the importance of annual comprehensive eye exams in monitoring the progression of myopia in children. The campaign will include national and regional broadcast segments, content across digital and social media, and influencers who will be sharing their personal experiences with myopia. In addition, CooperVision will be collaborating with the National Association of School Nurses(NASN) to engage in meaningful unbranded conversations about myopia with the organization's members. While the NASN does not endorse products, school nurses are often the first to observe the signs of myopia in affected children and are therefore important myopia management advocates.

"My husband and I are both nearsighted and our myopia has continued to worsen over time," said Gellar. "We want our kids to have a chance for better vision and lower their risk for future eye health issues. While regular eyeglasses or contacts help children see a whiteboard or tennis ball today, MiSight 1 day lenses offer children the benefits of clear vision while slowing myopia progression during their growing years*. That is why I am thrilled to be partnering with CooperVision on this campaign."

"CooperVision has always been committed to eye health innovation," said Jerry Warner,Executive Vice President, Americas and Global Commercial Functions of CooperVision. "The goal of this campaign is to help build awareness of the short and long term effects of myopia. More than just vision correction, CooperVision's myopia management program can help build a brilliant future for our children."

To learn more, visit https://coopervision.com/practitioner/myopia-management

* Indications for use: MiSight 1 day (omafilcon A) soft (hydrophilic) contact lenses for daily wear are indicated for the correction of myopic ametropia and for slowing the progression of myopia in children with non-diseased eyes, who at the initiation of treatment are 8-12 years of age and have a refraction of -0.75 to -4.00 diopters (spherical equivalent) with 0.75 diopters of astigmatism. The lens is to be discarded after each removal.

Compared to a single vision 1 day lens over a 3 year period.

References:1Chamberlain P, et al. A 3-year randomized clinical trial of MiSight lenses for myopia control. Optom Vis Sci. 2019; 96(8): 556-567.2Holden BA, et al. Global Prevalence of Myopia and High Myopia and Temporal Trends from 2000 through 2050. Ophthalmology. 2016;123(5):1036-42.3Cooper Y. (2019, May 1). With Childhood Myopia Rates on the Rise, the American Optometric Association Highlights the Importance of Early Intervention through Annual Eye Exams. Retrieved from https://www.aoa.org/newsroom/myopia-rates-on-the-rise-syvm.4CooperVision data on file 2019. Myopia Awareness, The Harris Poll online survey 6/27/19 to 7/18/19 of n=313 ECPs (who see at least 1/month myopic child, age 8-15) in U.S. Slightly or significantly increased.5CooperVision data on file 2019. Myopia Awareness, The Harris Poll online survey 6/27/19 to 7/18/19 of n=313 ECPs (who see at least 1/month myopic child, age 8-15) in U.S. ODs (89%) and MDs (68%) strongly/somewhat agree.6Xu L, Wang Y, Wang S, Wang Y Jonas JB. 'High Myopia and Glaucoma Susceptibility: The Beijing Eye Study. Ophthalmology, 2007;114(2):216-20.7Flitcroft DI. The complex interactions of retinal, optical, and environmental factors in myopia aetiology Prog Retin Eye Res. 2012;31(6):622-660.8Chen SJ, et al. Prevalence and associated risk factors of myopic maculopathy in elderly Chinese: the Shihpai eye study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012;53(8):4868-4873.9Chen SJ, et al. High myopia as a risk factor in primary open angle glaucoma. Int J Ophthalmol. 2012; 5(6):750-753.10 Younan C, et al. Myopia and incident cataract and cataract surgery: the blue mountains eye study. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43(3625-3632).

About CooperVisionCooperVision, a division of CooperCompanies (NYSE:COO), is one of the world's leading manufacturers of soft contact lenses. The Company produces a full array of daily disposable, two-week and monthly contact lenses, all featuring advanced materials and optics. CooperVision has a strong heritage of solving the toughest vision challenges such as astigmatism, presbyopia and childhood myopia; and offers the most complete collection of spherical, toric and multifocal products available. Through a combination of innovative products and focused practitioner support, the company brings a refreshing perspective to the marketplace, creating real advantages for customers and wearers. For more information, visitwww.coopervision.com.

About CooperCompaniesCooperCompanies ("Cooper") is a global medical device company publicly traded on the NYSE (NYSE:COO). Cooper operates through two business units,CooperVisionandCooperSurgical. CooperVision brings a refreshing perspective on vision care with a commitment to developing a wide range of high-quality products for contact lens wearers and providing focused practitioner support. CooperSurgical is committed to advancing the health of women, babies and families with its diversified portfolio of products and services focusing on medical devices and fertility & genomics. Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., Cooper has a workforce of more than 12,000 with products sold in over 100 countries. For more information, please visitwww.coopercos.com.

Media Contacts

Consumer Media: EvolveMKD, [emailprotected] or +1-646-517-4220

Eyecare, Medical and Science Media: McDougall Communications,[emailprotected] or +1-585-478-4338 (mobile)

SOURCE CooperVision

https://coopervision.com

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CooperVision Announces Sarah Michelle Gellar as Spokesperson to Increase Awareness of Myopia Management and the Brilliant Futures Program with MiSight...

(PRESS RELEASE) PLEASANTON, CA IrisVision, the leader in digital vision technologies, today announced it has partnered with the Seva Foundation to develop new technology that will democratize vision healthcare around the world.

Seva Foundation is a global non-profit organization that provides eye care services to underserved communities across the globe. Since 1978, Seva has provided sight-saving surgeries, medicine and other eye care services to more than 40 million people globally.

In the first phase of this unique public-private partnership, Seva will provide IrisVision with a grant of $200,000 to help create new technologies to treat vision impairment, and even prevent blindness, in less privileged parts of our world. IrisVision, which is best known as the creator of an award-winning VR solution that restores sight for those with vision impairments and is currently developing new telehealth applications for its vision care platform, will contribute its extensive R&D talent, leadership and resources to the initiative.

This partnership with IrisVision will help Seva to continue delivering cutting-edge science and technology in eye health and vision care to the worlds underserved communities, said Seva Executive Director Kate Moynihan. One of our key tenets has been to continue investing in technology that advances eye care for affected and at-risk communities, wherever they may be. When we saw the ground-breaking work IrisVision is already doing in low vision aids, virtual vision diagnostics and remote delivery of eye care, we knew they have the scientific, technical and leadership talent to take our work even further.

According to IrisVision CEO and Co-founder Ammad Khan, Partnering with such a respected and prestigious organization as the Seva Foundation is an honor. They have established the pathways over their 40 years of hard work to restore sight to more than five million people in communities across the globe. In turn, our technology can help these communities regain the life-changing gift of sight. Together, we can truly make a difference in the world.

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Seva Foundation Partners with IrisVision to Democratize Vision Care Through Innovation - InvisionMag

A new study shows vision loss is almost twice as common among military veterans than among civilians and was independently associated with self-reported illicit drug use.

The results should trigger increased awareness among both behavioral and eye health specialists, study author Justin Tyler McDaniel, PhD, associate professor of Public Health at Southern Illinois University's School of Human Sciences, Carbondale, told Medscape Medical News.

"As behavioral health folks routinely screen for alcohol misuse and drug use, they potentially could do some vision screening and refer folks to an optometrist if necessary," McDaniel said.

Conversely, ophthalmology professionals "perhaps could begin to implement screening for drug use during routine visits for eye checkup," and refer those who screen positive, he said.

The paper was published online August 13 in BMJ Military Health.

Studies have uncovered numerous associations between substance abuse and ocular injuries. For example, some have linked cocaine and methamphetamine with corneal injuries, and others have tied opiates, cocaine, methamphetamine and "bath salts," synthetic recreational stimulants, to iris injuries.

Justin Tyler McDaniel, PhD

Vision impairment has been associated with other health behaviors and conditions as well, the researchers note, including HIV, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, poor diet, physical activity, cancer, depression, gum disease, and socioeconomic status.

The new study aimed to more closely assess these streams of research "to see if there's any association between drug use and vision loss," said McDaniel.

The study included 1578 randomly selected participants (1472 civilians and 106 military service members or veterans) in the 2013 to 2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). NHANES is a nationally representative survey of health and nutrition status among US residents.

Since NHANES doesn't interview institutionalized individuals, which would include those in active military service, "we assume that all our sample was veterans," who were retired from active duty and living in the community, said McDaniel.

Survey questions determined use of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin, and of injection drug use. In addition to illicit drug use, study covariates included age, gender, race/ethnicity, education level, household income, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, diet, sedentary time, health insurance, cancer history, depression, HIV status, and oral health.

The dependent variable was self-reported vision loss, which was obtained from the disability module in the NHANES. Respondents were asked if they are blind or have serious difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses.

The analysis showed that compared to civilians, veterans had a significantly higher prevalence of HIV-positive status (1.89% vs 0.41%; P = .038) and illicit drug use (20.75% vs 13.62%; P = .041).

While active military members tend to have lower rates of illicit drug use compared with civilians because of a "zero tolerance" policy and random drug testing, veterans retired from service may be dealing with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that "may be connected to beginning of illicit drug use," said McDaniel.

The rate of 1 in 5 veterans using illicit drugs seems high, but should be taken in context, said McDaniel, noting that the measure of illicit drug use in the survey is "quite broad."

"It could be someone who chronically uses illicit drugs or someone who just tried it one time," he noted.

More veterans in the study (8.49%) reported vision loss than civilians (4.48%). The higher prevalence of vision loss among veterans could be because of exposure to combat explosions, said McDaniel, but veterans also had more risk factors possibly linked to vision impairment.

For example, they had higher mean values of systolic blood pressure (125.8 vs 122.5 mm Hg), more pack years of cigarette smoking (8.29 vs 4.25), and more sedentary minutes per day (379.15 vs 337.07 min).

On the other hand, civilians had a higher prevalence of poor dietary habits; only 7.61% reported trying the MyPlate diet plan, which highlights elements of a healthy diet, vs 13.21% of veterans (P = .032).

In a model that adjusted for risk factors of vision loss including physical inactivity, diabetes, socioeconomic factors, and other health behaviors and conditions military service status (adjusted coefficient [aB] 0.91; P = .04) and illicit drug use (aB 0.72; P = .02) were associated with increased risk for vision loss. The next strongest predictor was HIV-positive status.

McDaniel stressed that the study shows only an association between drug use and vision loss, without determining from which direction the association is occurring.

"We have no way of inferring causation here," he said. "It could be that vision loss is a stressor that results in drug use, or it could be that a history of drug use leads to vision loss down the road."

McDaniel would like future research projects to determine where in the US veterans are most prone to illicit drug use and to vision loss. "Then we can begin to really refine and target some public health programming in those areas," he said.

"We could then maybe look at screening and brief interventions for service members who use drugs. And for vision loss, we could implement some sort of screening and vision rehabilitation programs."

Commenting on the study for Medscape Medical News, Kate Hendricks Thomas, PhD, from George Mason University's Department of Global and Community Health, Fairfax, Virginia, said the current study is a continuation of McDaniel's "interesting research" on the links between service experiences, behavioral health trends, and health outcomes among active military and veterans.

"The results of the present study are interesting in that they outline key predictor variables' influence on eye health," said Thomas.

"The study does a nice job of demonstrating empirically what we know about risk behaviors in military veterans," that they can lead to poorer health outcomes, said Thomas.

While substance abuse isn't the only behavior that can be correlated to poor eyesight, "in the present study, it demonstrated a strong enough link that screening veterans for addictive behaviors is warranted in the clinical setting."

The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. McDaniel and Thomas have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

BMJ Mil Health. Published online August 13, 2020. Abstract

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Illicit Drug Use Tied to Vision Loss - Medscape

Sunu Band on wrist

Foresight is wonderful in business but when robotics engineer Marco Trujillo and legally blind chemist and serial entrepreneur Dr. Fernando Albertorio launched the Sunu Band in 2018, they couldnt possibly have imagined the new normal lurking just around the corner.

The Sunu Band is an advanced mobility aid for the blind and severely sight impaired.

Worn like a watch or wristband, the device uses sonar and echolocation to detect objects in the wearers path and then provides haptic vibrations to supply information on proximity. The closer the object, the more frequent the vibrations, which then fade when the object is further away.

During the coronavirus pandemic, maintaining social distancing has been a major challenge for those with severe vision impairments, leaving many fearful of leaving their homes.

In the event that an emergency global hackathon for medical engineers was organized to identify a technological solution to this complex challenge, the device to emerge might well closely resemble the Sunu Band.

Via a paired mobile app, Sunu even allows the user to select the distance at which they wish to be alerted, which ranges from 1.5 to 5 meters.

The band has been likened to a radar or flashlight for those with sight loss, identifying objects when the sensor is angled in their direction. It may also be understood as a form of sense enhancing augmented reality with a tactile overlay, rather than the visual one commonly seen in mainstream AR devices.

As the pandemic wore on, the company began to receive an increasing number of reports from its customers about how helpful the band is for maintaining social distancing.

Social distancing is the use case that all our customers have been telling us about, says Albertorio.

They find it particularly helpful for standing in a queue and being alerted when the person in front is starting to move forward, as well as the avoidance of people and obstacles in the supermarket.

Resembling a Fitbit, the Sunu Band also features a lightweight, cosmetically acceptable form factor, a design challenge that appears to have perpetually dogged manufacturers of low vision wearables.

Sunu Band on Wrist

The device also offers safety benefits by allowing users to operate their smartphone directly through the band, while the phone itself is tucked away snugly.

Sunu Band began life in Guadalajara, Mexico in 2013 after Trujillo undertook a community project at a school for the blind. During this time, he developed a keen interest in the way in which blind children learn to navigate and noted the upper body injuries they often sustain bumping into obstacles.

Trullijos path was to cross with Albertorio a year later when Albertorio was a mentor at the 2014 MassChallenge, a Boston-based global accelerator and competition for innovative start-ups.

The Sunu Band went on to win a Gold Award there and also won the Perkins School for the Blind Technology Sidecar Prize, later winning a Global Elevate Award in 2016.

Prior to its market launch in 2018, Sunu also went through Y Combinator, a highly competitive Silicon Valley-based accelerator program.

Albertorio joined up with the fledgling company, not just as a serial tech entrepreneur but in his capacity as a legally blind individual.

He has albinism, which, in his case, results in severe light sensitivity and eye movement disorders.

The band is not envisaged as a replacement for a white cane or a guide dog but as an additional novel layer of sense enhancement.

The original use case considered was the avoidance of raised or overhead obstacles, anything not being picked up by a regular sweep of the cane.

Chris McNally, a low vision technology enthusiast, who was born with a form of Retinitis pigmentosa that severely impairs his ability to see in low light, is a dedicated user of the device and offers up some fascinating insights on how the band has remapped his senses.

When navigating, it feels like my brain has been so starved of information that when something new and useful is incorporated, it latches right on to it, he says.

Feedback from the band is now integrated so deeply into the way I move around; Im not even consciously thinking about the new input coming in anymore.

As I sweep back and forth, he continues, Im sensing walls and doorways. If I feel it pulsing faster, I know its a person coming at me, which is awesome, particularly because of the situation with Covid.

This sense enhancing aspect is something which Katrina Best, an Orientation and Mobility Specialist based in Collier County, Florida working with school children and adults living with sight loss has also noted.

I was working with a client in his fifties who is now totally blind and I wanted to try out the Sunu Band with him, she says.

We walked to a restaurant and I put it on him and he chuckled because he could suddenly tell when the waitress was walking past and ignoring us. The wearer can really feel when people are walking around them.

I feel like its a tool for independence, she continues. Too often, students I see in grade schools and older adults tend to just rely on others.

In terms of a future pipeline, the interoperability of the hardware with a dedicated smartphone app means the opportunities to expand functionality are limitless.

This may include more granular mapping and guidance for blind people, even down to a street furniture level, and as a platform technology, further integration with third-party apps, such as Be My Eyes or even Uber.

As a company, we want to challenge certain societal perceptions where people with disabilities are viewed as helpless, says Albertorio.

We believe wearable technologies that can augment human abilities have a big role to play in creating equity for disabled people through bridging the information gap and empowering and enhancing the senses.

Over the socially distanced shorter term, the company is exploring other use cases for the Sunu Band. This could include individuals with suppressed immune systems seeking an extra level of protection when out and about.

There may also be mainstream applications for employees wishing to monitor distancing in closed or crowded working environments, such as in the hospitality sector, or for certain leisure activities where vision is reduced, like caving.

The Sunu Band may not quite yet feature all the bells and whistles of the Apple Watch but priced at $299 (three quarters of the price of the tech giants device), it offers those who could benefit so much more.

After all, innovative assistive technology devices are more than just cool gadgets to enjoy. They hack the human operating system at a fundamental level and can, thereby, promote unique and personalized modalities for independence.

Excerpt from:
Sunu Band The Smart Wearable Helping Blind People Maintain Social Distance - Forbes

Age-old advice on how to look after your heart also applies to staving off eye disease and sight loss, a new study claims.

US researchers have linked good cardiovascular health from a healthy diet, regular exercise and not smoking with lower odds for ocular diseases.

This includes diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the retina that can lead to blindness and cataracts, when the lens develops cloudy patches.

Earlier studies have observed associations between eye diseases and individual lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity or hypertension, said study author Duke Appiah at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in the US.

It is known that these metrics of ideal cardiovascular health do not work alone and may interact additively to result in diseases.

However, prior to our research, no other studies have comprehensively evaluated the association of all of the metrics of ideal cardiovascular health with ocular diseases.

Globally, about 2.2 billion people suffer from ocular diseases leading to vision impairment or blindness, but aroundhalf of these cases could have been prevented.

The leading causes of vision impairment or blindness are diabetic retinopathy, cataract, age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

Most ocular diseases show few symptoms at early stages and many people may not seek medical care despite readily available treatments.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between the American Heart Associations prescription prescription for health metric, known as Lifes Simple Seven (LS7), and the occurrence of ocular diseases

LS7 is based on the status of seven cardiovascular disease risk factors not smoking, regular physical activity, healthy diet, maintaining normal weight and controlling cholesterol, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.

Following healthy lifestyle and behaviour habits can all contribute to good cardiovascular health as assessed by LS7.

Investigators evaluated data from 6,118 adults aged 40 or more years old who took part in the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

The average age of participants was 57 years old, 53 percent of whom were women.

Scores were summed for a maximum of 14, which indicated the most ideal level of cardiovascular health.

A one-unit increase in LS7 scores was associated with reduced odds for age-related macular degeneration by 95 per cent, diabetic retinopathy (68 per cent), cataracts (94 per cent) and glaucoma (94 per cent).

Individuals with optimal cardiovascular health had 97 percent lower odds for diabetic retinopathy compared to individuals with inadequate cardiovascular health.

Overall, we believe that primary prevention and early detection approaches of ocular diseases are important, considering that over half of all deaths from ocular diseases and cardiovascular diseases are known to be preventable, said co-investigator Noah De La Cruz at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.

Since there is a overlap of the risk factors for ocular diseases and cardiovascular disease, the investigators recommended that screening for ocular diseases be incorporated into existing screenings for cardiovascular diseases.

We hope that our study findings will encourage adherence to healthy lifestyles in order to prevent these age-related diseases while also leading to increased collaborations between cardiologists, optometrists, and ophthalmologists in order to better prevent cardiovascular and ocular diseases, said Dr Appiah.

The study has been published in The American Journal of Medicine.

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Healthy heart linked with low risk of eye disease and sight loss - Brinkwire

A man who has been told he may be permanently blinded in one eye after he was struck with glass in Lincoln fears he may also be left homeless.

Kane Lilleyman suffered a serious injury to his eye after he was allegedly attacked in Baggholme Road close to the junction with Croft Street in the Monks Road area at around 11pm on July 28.

And if the thought of never regaining his vision in one eye wasnt enough to comprehend, the 29-year-old is now seriously concerned that he could soon be without a roof over his head.

Mr Lilleyman owns and lives on a houseboat, but is what he calls a continuous cruiser meaning he has to keep moving the boat because he doesnt have a place to permanently moor the vessel.

However, the loss of his sight means he no longer feels able to move the boat safely and it is has also meant he has had to give up his job of jewellery making.

As a result of not moving the boat, he is infringing the terms of his boating licence and because he can no longer do his job, he doesnt have the income to be able to fund the money needed for a permanent mooring.

He told Lincolnshire Live : I am too scared to move it [the boat] because I cant tell how far the bank is from my boat, so when it comes to parking I cant tell if Im close enough to jump off or if I am too close to risk sinking via crashing.

I could face losing my boat because Ill be breaching the terms of my licence and now that Ive lost all forms of my income, I cannot afford to get a home registered mooring for the boat.

I am stuck in an extremely anxious catch 22 position and I cant see any way out of this mess.

Mr Lilleyman says it is hard not to get down as his injury has completely changed his life.

He said: I am depressed and very anxious because I am unable to move my houseboat and I have to move it by law to keep in accordance with my licence.

I am unable to continue with my jewellery making because I have no depth perception.

I cant ride my motorcycle anymore either because it is my traffic side that has been damaged.

On the whole I am pretty depressed. This has ruined most aspects of my life.

Friends have stepped in to help and have set up a Gofundme page to raise the money needed to pay the licence fees and avoid the boat being confiscated as well as then the funds for a permanent mooring.

Mr Lilleyman says he is praying the situation can be sorted as he cant bear the thought of having to give up his dream life on the water.

He said: If I cant get a permanent mooring, Ill be forced to sell the boat.

I cant face living on land. Ive been here for eight years and the water means absolutely everything to me.

Police are investigating the incident that led to Mr Lilleymans injury.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of GBH with intent but has been released pending further investigation.

A force spokesperson said: A 29-year-oldmanwas struck by a glass on Baggholme Road at the junction with Croft Street at 11pm on July 28.

The victim sustained an injury to his eye and it is thought he will not regain his sight.

This is an active police investigation and a 19-year-oldmanwas arrested. He has since been released under investigation.

Any witnesses to this incident should call 101 quoting incident 513 of July 28. To make an anonymous report, please contact CrimeStoppers.

To view the Gofundme page click here

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Man fears he could be left homeless as well as blind in one eye after 'attack' in Lincoln - LincolnshireLive

AN opticians is advising residents to look after their eyesight as a socially distanced work and social life means more time spent looking at screens.

Scrivens Opticians and Hearing Care, in Dovercourt, is encouraging locals to get their eyes tested after 57 per cent of people it surveyed said eye strain has been a side effect from living a virtual life during the coronavirus pandemic.

The study - carried out by OnePoll - also found many people aged 55 and over needed to re-evaluate their approach to looking after their vision.

Results showed just a fifth of those in this age group were concerned about the possible side effects of blue light on their vision - compared to half of those aged 18 to 24.

Blue light is a colour in the visible light spectrum that can be seen by human eyes - it is all around us.

The light produces higher amounts of energy and can cause eye strain, physical and mental fatigue and headaches for prolonged use of electronic devices or computers.

Claire Lethbridge, branch manager, said: As we are spending much more time using screens to communicate with colleagues, friends and family, the strain on our eyes is intense, so its vital that we give as much priority to booking an eye test as we do to taking up half price meal offers.

The same study revealed that half of the 2,000 people polled are apprehensive about booking an appointment in the wake of the pandemic.

Ms Lethbridge added: We have taken every possible precaution to make sure our store is safe for customers and for staff too.

Its so important that we take care of our eyesight and go for regular checks every two years, as they are the window to our general health too, as an eye test can detect so much more than a deterioration in our vision.

Tips for avoiding eye strain:

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Why we are suffering more from eye strain, and how to help prevent it - Clacton and Frinton Gazette

Xilinx Automotive-Qualified (XA) Zynq UltraScale+ Multi-Processor System-On-A-Chip (MPSoC)

Auto makers have been continually updating and augmenting their vehicle line-ups with new, leading-edge technologies as they lay the foundation for future, fully-autonomous vehicles. Though the field is advancing rapidly, were not quite there yet. Technologies being introduced today, however, inch us ever closer to that fully-autonomous future and enhance current vehicles with additional capabilities to improve safety, comfort, or both.

Such is the case with Subaru and its upcoming Levorg. Subaru just announced that it has partnered with Xilinx to enable the Levorg with a leading-edge, vision-based ADAS system (Advanced Driver Assistance System) using stereo cameras, dubbed EyeSight. Subarus EyeSight system will enable new features like adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and pre-collision braking to name just a few.

At Subaru, we continuously strive to make the Subaru brand prominent in our customers hearts and minds by focusing our efforts on providing Enjoyment and Peace of Mind, and we believe ADAS is one of the technologies that will help us achieve that goal, said Tetsuo Fujinuki, chief technology officer, Subaru Corporation. Stereo cameras are at the heart of Subarus ADAS applications. Unlike common approaches, the image processing technology adopted in our new generation system scans everything captured by stereo cameras and creates high-precision 3D point clouds, enabling us to offer advanced features such as pre-collision braking at an intersection and assisting with hands-off driving in traffic congestion on a highway. Xilinx technology plays an important role in this. Because Xilinx automotive devices contain built-in capabilities that allow us to meet strict ASIL requirements, they are unquestionably the best technology to implement Subarus new ADAS vision system.

The Automotive Safety Integrity Level, or ASIL, is a risk classification system defined by the ISO 26262 standard for the functional safety of road vehicles.

Xilinx ADAS And AD Features

Subarus EyeSight system is built around the Xilinx Automotive-qualified (XA) Zynq UltraScale+ multi-processor system-on-a-chip (MPSoC). The XA Zynq UltraScale+ is a 16-nanometer product that enables high-speed data aggregation, pre-processing, and distribution (DAPD), as well as compute acceleration for L2+ to L4 ADAS and autonomous driving (AD) applications. The XA Zynq UltraScale+ is capable of processing stereo images and data captured by the Subaru EyeSight systems cameras and sensors into 3D point clouds with the low latency, which are used to dynamically react to the environment.

Xilinx Zynq UltraScale+ High-Level Block Diagram.

We are excited to see Xilinx automotive devices enabling the new generation of automotive safety for Subaru, said Yousef Khalilollahi, vice president of sales, Asia-Pacific region, Xilinx. Subarus name has long been synonymous with road safety and reliability, and were proud that our XA products have been selected to continue our shared vision of providing drivers with the most advanced safety features on the market.

The Subaru Levorg, featuring the auto makers next-gen EyeSight ADAS system will be available for pre-orders in Japan starting tomorrow (August 20).

Read more from the original source:
Subaru Taps Xilinx For Its New EyeSight Vision-Based Advanced Driver-Assistance System - Forbes

James Chen is seen with children working on his philanthropic cause to give everyone access to vision correction if they need it. Photo provided to China Daily

Clearly, the eyesight charity set up by Chinese philanthropist James Chen, is to merge with the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness next year in a bid to increase efforts in supporting better vision globally.

Over the last 15 years, Chen had made it his mission to tackle poor vision. He has been funding and leading work to promote universal access to glasses and said the merger is a step closer to his dream of helping the whole world see clearly.

The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, or IAPB, is a network of more than 150 members working in international eye health and leading global advocacy body for the sight sector.

The new partnership, which will come into effect on Jan 1,2021, was created to combine the two organizations' advocacy and campaigning expertise as a way to renew pressure on governments and global leaders to end the vision crisis.

In a report published in October, the World Health Organization said it would cost an estimated $14.3 billion to treat the 1 billion people already living with visual impairment or blindness from cataracts, and short and far-sightedness.

Chen said: "IAPB have long been a leader in the vision sector. I am delighted that we will be able to combine their unprecedented authority and reach within the sector with our ground-breaking campaigning work, particularly on school eye health, work-based sight tests and the links between vision and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals."

Along with his ongoing interests as founder of Vision for a Nation and Adlens, Chen will play an even more active role in the vision sector following the merger, as a global ambassador for IAPB.

Peter Holland, chief executive of the IAPB, said that the unprecedented move marks the "next exciting phase in the battle to deliver vision for everyone".

"This is a hugely important development for the sector and comes at a time when poor vision is rising across the world," Holland said. "Clearly has made massive strides forward in waking up the world to the scale of the vision crisis. This merger will provide the IAPB with renewed vigor and expertise in effective campaigning. It will enable us to make the case even more effectively about the urgency and value for money of tackling the global vision crisis."

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Leading sight organizations to merge in fight to end global crisis in vision - Chinadaily USA

NESS ZIONA, Israel--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Foresight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX), an innovator in automotive vision systems, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., will start a pilot project with a multi-billion dollar global Japanese technology company to test its Eye-Net Protect cellular-based V2X (vehicle-to-everything) accident prevention solution.

The pilot project will be used to validate the Eye-Net solution capabilities and its technical specifications. Upon successful completion, the Japanese technology company may proceed to commercial integration of the Eye-Net solution into its IoT platform which currently serves millions of users.

This pilot project marks an important milestone on Eye-Net Mobiles commercial roadmap. The technology company will be the first to evaluate the software development kit (SDK) configuration of Eye-Net Protect. Integration with a global Japanese company has the potential to allow our life-saving accident prevention solution to protect millions of users daily, said Dror Elbaz, COO & Deputy CEO of Eye-Net Mobile.

The Eye-Net Protect V2X solution is designed to protect the most vulnerable road users in real time - including pedestrians, cyclists, scooter drivers and car drivers - by providing collision alerts when the road users have no direct line of sight. An SDK configuration allows Eye-Net Mobile to integrate its solution with leading location-based products such as wearable devices, dashboard cameras, navigation aids, infotainment systems, third-party applications and other smart devices.

For more information about Eye-Net Mobile, please visit http://www.eyenet-mobile.com, or follow the Companys LinkedIn page, Eye-Net Mobile; Twitter, @EyeNetMobile1; and Instagram channel, Eyenetmobile1, the contents of which are not incorporated into this press release.

About ForesightForesight Autonomous Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq and TASE: FRSX), founded in 2015, is a technology company engaged in the design, development and commercialization of sensors systems for the automotive industry. Through the companys wholly owned subsidiaries, Foresight Automotive Ltd. and Eye-Net Mobile Ltd., Foresight develops both in-line-of-sight vision systems and beyond-line-of-sight cellular-based applications. Foresights vision sensor is a four-camera system based on 3D video analysis, advanced algorithms for image processing, and sensor fusion. Eye-Net Mobiles cellular-based application is a V2X (vehicle-to-everything) accident prevention solution based on real-time spatial analysis of clients movement.

The companys systems are designed to improve driving safety by enabling highly accurate and reliable threat detection while ensuring the lowest rates of false alerts. Foresight is targeting the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), the semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicle markets and predicts that its systems will revolutionize automotive safety by providing an automotive-grade, cost-effective platform and advanced technology.

For more information about Foresight and its wholly owned subsidiary, Foresight Automotive, visit http://www.foresightauto.com, follow @ForesightAuto1 on Twitter, or join Foresight Automotive on LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other Federal securities laws. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. For example, Foresight is using forward-looking statements in this press release when it discusses the terms of any agreement between Eye-Net and the global Japanese technology company, that the pilot project will be used to validate the Eye-Net solution capabilities and its technical specifications, that upon successful completion, the Japanese technology company may proceed to commercial integration of the Eye-Net solution into its IoT platform, and that potential integration with a global Japanese company has the potential to protect millions of users daily. Because such statements deal with future events and are based on Foresights current expectations, they are subject to various risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance or achievements of Foresight could differ materially from those described in or implied by the statements in this press release.

The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in Foresight's annual report on Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on March 31, 2020, and in any subsequent filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Foresight undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. References and links to websites have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Foresight is not responsible for the contents of third party websites.

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Foresight: Eye-Net Mobile and Global Japanese Technology Company to Start Pilot Project - Business Wire

Nearing 92, Cheri McDaniel is losing her eyesight. But her vision for new ideas is going strong.

Early this year, McDaniel finished her third book, and she says a fourth one might be on the way. On the West Feliciana Parish property where she is riding out the coronavirus pandemic with family members, she is creating plans for the gardens, ponds and structures she has built over the past five decades.

She also continues to raise money for charity work in Haiti and Swaziland through Rotary an organization she joined while creating a medical and educational mission in Mexico. She was only 75 then.

This likely surprises no one who knows McDaniel, who also has been a house designer, builder and antique store owner.

"I think her energy comes from her passions, either her passion to write, her passion to help others, her passion to serve," said Martha Stuckey, president of theCapital City Rotary Club, of which McDaniel is a member.

McDaniel suggests she doesnt deserve much credit.

Im a simple farm girl, she said. I feel that God is driving the vehicle of my life or I wouldnt still be here. These things just evolve.

Its been that way since McDaniel, who was born in 1928, grew up on a Union Parish farm through the Great Depression, earned a home economics degree and became a hospital dietitian. She met her first husband, Jack Smith, at LSU, and his oil industry work took them to El Dorado, Arkansas, and Memphis, Tennessee, before coming to Baton Rouge in 1947.

In each location, McDaniel designed the couple's home. Despite no formal education in construction or architecture, she discovered she had the ability to visualize a house and taught herself how to draw up plans that carpenters and other tradesmen could follow.

In Baton Rouge, she was a homemaker until their only child, Susan, was old enough to go to school. Since being a dietitian no longer appealed to her, she told Jack in 1958 that she was going to design and build homes for a living. She says she was the only woman to run such a company in Baton Rouge at the time and designed about 200 homes in 27 years.

I never did two houses alike, McDaniel said. Id meet with them, find out what they really wanted to have in a house, what was their budget, and it was my goal to be able to give them everything they wanted, and most of the time I was able to do that within their budget. And they left me alone.

Along the way, she founded Fireside Antiques in 1982, which Susan managed until becoming pregnant with quadruplets in 1986, so McDaniel took over and ran the business until 2003.

When she was in her mid-70s, sensing that God was calling her to the mission field, she moved to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and started the Holistic Educational Center, a facility that provided both medical care and education to improve the lives of impoverished residents there. She wrote grant applications that helped fund a retinopathy clinic at the local hospital there.

However, after four years, the 6,000-foot altitude was causing McDaniel fainting spells, and her second marriage was ending, so she returned to Baton Rouge. She joined the Capital City Rotary Club upon her return, writing grant proposals that created funding for outreach projects.

McDaniel moved to St. James Place retirement community. That's where she got the inspiration to write.

It began with her life story, titled He Lays the Stones for Our Steps, which she followed with Snazzy Seniors, telling stories of interesting and inspirational people she met. She sells the books through her Rotary club, and its proceeds go to club projects.

In her third book, Descending Toward Darkness, Illuminated by Faith, she tells the stories of people shes met who have come through challenges. God, she said, gave her the title. It was printed just before St. James Place went into lockdown in March, which McDaniel believes is no coincidence.

God had to have known that this pandemic was coming to give me such a strange title, she said. I wasnt planning to write a third book. I had never studied creative writing. So, God is still keeping me going.

The title also reflects some of McDaniels own experience.

A cancer survivor, she has faced numerous recent health challenges: congestive heart failure, shingles, knee surgery and failing eyesight that forced her to hand-write passages of the book in large letters so someone else could type them. She continues to write, currently focusing on spiritual topics.

I am now legally blind, but nothing seems to stop our heavenly father, she said. My writing has become a wonderful adventure.

One of many.

Every morning after breakfast, an assistant drives her in a golf cart for two hours to look over 388 acres near Lake Rosemound where McDaniel has built houses for family members and created a forest and garden from what was once a cow pasture.

McDaniel once held Easter sunrise worship services on the property and wanted to build a church there, but when the family didnt agree due to lack of suitable parking space, she built a small, open-air meditation chapel. Hundreds of encore azaleas bloom multiple times a year, creating vibrant color even in the August heat.

Its like I feel reborn in this environment, McDaniel said. Im still alive, and Im still being inspired by the infinite creator. I take no credit. His presence is so strong.

Read more here:
Cheri McDaniel is almost 92, but that's not slowing her down one bit - The Advocate

In the commercial fleet world, driver safety is above all, and it becomes even more crucial when a semi-trailer is hauling a couple of tons of dangerous or hazardous materials cross country. As weve witnessed in the past, the potential spills caused by the Oil & Gas industry fleets can cause immense environmental damage, if or when a mistake is made. Just the threat of a catastrophic oil spill hitting the news is poised to doom public opinion against the trucking company and supplier. Further highlighting the necessity for hazardous material drivers to stay alert and safe on the road, creating a potential problem that demands an innovative solution.

Israeli company Eyesight Technologies, which leverages AI and computer-vision technologies for a safe driving experience, announced that its partnering with French fleet management conglomerate GloboConnect, a leading provider of telematics systems for fleets.

"The partnership is a major part of our effort and investment to improve road safety," said Yannick GUIDEZ CEO of GloboConnect. "The addition of Eyesight Technologies' driver monitoring solution to our telematics capabilities enables us to extend our driver safety solutions to include monitoring inside the cabin, allowing our customers to ensure better driving practices and the safer transport of dangerous goods in the oil and gas trucking industry."

The joint venture will focus efforts towards developing a driver monitoring telematics device, tailored for the Oil & Gas industrys fleets. The device will combine Eyesight Technologies' computer vision and AI-based driver monitoring system (DMS) along with Globo's telematics infrastructure and hardware to improve road safety for an estimated 50,000 vehicles in oil & gas fleets.

"This partnership is another meaningful step towards creating safer driving environments in the fleet industry," said David Tolub, CEO of Eyesight Technologies. "An aftermarket DMS solution is a valuable addition to existing telematics offerings, increasing the safety and efficiency of fleets."

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Eyesight Technologies partners with GloboConnect to bring AI-driven safety to Oil & Gas Fleets - Geektime

Many of the animals, birds, and insects that are part of the Natural World have unique and useful uses and features related to their heads. This article covers a few of these which might explain such things as why a Dog tilt their heads when they hear a sound, and the Owl and the Praying Mantis are the only predators that have a special bone structure that is quite useful for them.

Now that I have covered Tails in article #1 let's move to the other half of our discussion on some of the unique features found in animals, birds, and insects in the natural world.

Just seeing a Dragonfly must be terrifying if you are a gnat, mosquito, or other small bugs. To us, humans, they are unique insects that are mostly quite nice to see. The eyes of a dragonfly take up 90% of its head. Their eyesight is the key to its hunting, and flying skills allow them to have a 95% success rate when hunting. They use this sight to judge the speed and trajectory of the target prey and adjust their flight to intercept the prey and snag it from the air.

The Common Mole's nose, found at the pointed end of its head, is the only part of its body it is not uncomfortable with. Despite devastating blindness and inadequate tactile sensitivity, the moles excel at finding food sources. Scientists have found that except for a few species of dogs such as the Bloodhound, which can tell the direction a smell comes from and follow it, the common mole may be the only animal with what is known as natural stereo smelling ability.

Look around, and maybe you can turn your head to the left or right and move it up and down with ease. You can also move your eyes around in many different directions, and a few of us can even cross our eyes. In the animal world, there are loads of various kinds of eyes that see the world in distinctive ways. Owls cannot move their eyeballs around in their sockets very well. Yet they do have particularly good night vision. Their eyes are positioned on the front of their heads like many of their fellow predators. They have what is thought of as binocular vision.

While Owls might not be able to move their eyeballs, they more this makeup for this by turning their heads up to 270 degrees to the right or left. That is more than twice what we humans can do. The owls have what is called a pivot joint in their bone structure that allows this broad range of movement. There is only one other predator that can do this. It is the Praying Mantis.

What is magnetite? It is a naturally occurring mineral that reacts to magnetic fields. Scientists believe that many animals may have small amounts of it in their brains, allowing them to sense the magnetic fields produced by the earth. However, Dolphins and some whales have magnetic rocks in their heads. Bats and birds (especially pigeons) can navigate vast distances without any clues as to where they are other than the presence and shape of the magnetic fields, which they sense using the magnetite in their brains. Dolphins and many species of whalecan navigate enormous miles of open ocean by using these same, but larger, rocks of this substance within their brains. They are navigating by the magnetic fields they have used during their entire life. They may even think they are in the open and deep waters but can be dangerously close to the shore.

Have you ever noticed that many species of Birds head-bob when they are walking? The term head-bobbing is used for the apparent back and forth movement of their head as they walk and is a bit of a misnomer. The birds do not bob their heads, ---instead, they move their body forward and leave their head behind. They then thrust their head forward past their body. This crazy behavior is thought to help critical aspects of their vision during their forward movement.

If you happen to see a deer bobbing its head, it is not like a bird. A deer's pupils are not like humans; instead, they are more oval and oriented horizontally to give them a wider field of view. We humans can see about a 120-degree range of vision. Having their eyes on the side of their head plus having the oblong pupils, a deer has close to a 300 degrees range. While this gives them a wider angle of vision, it does impact their vertical sight. That is one reason hunters sometimes use a tree stand. Because of this vertical limit, they bob their head to improve their vertical vision.

When you are out on Presque Isle, I am willing to bet that many of my readers think they see an eagle flying overhead. Well, most times, you have spotted a turkey vulture and not an eagle. While looking somewhat like an eagle, they have a genuine bald head while the eagle has white feathers. At close range, they resemble the wild turkey, hence their name. They are the only scavenger bird that cannot kill their prey. This is because their feet are like chickens and not an eagle's or a hawk's. Instead, they have a powerful beak that can tear through even the most robust cowhide. They also have an extraordinary sense of smell that allows them to locate a dead animal from over a mile away.

Monkeys use faces like name tags. They all boast the most colorful faces in the mammal kingdom, and they are not just for show. Like humans, they distinguish friend or foe by facial features, which have evolved to be uniquely distinctive in their close-knit communities.

Why do dogs tilt their heads when they hear sounds. The human ear is engineered to pick up a sound so efficiently that you do not need to turn toward the sound to capture it. That is not so with a dog. Dogs have flaps that partially or entirely cover the ear canal and serve as a barrier to sound. Luckily, the canine ear flap is moveable so the dog can easily make the necessary adjustment and tilt its head toward the sound.

Rabbit ears have a unique shape. Yes, they are long. However, they also have a curve that turns them into satellite dishes place upon a bunny's head. Their shape helps catch and amplify all sounds. Because rabbits are prey species, they must continuously monitor for small sounds that may show a predator is near. They also need to know where the sound is coming from. The length and their ability to move, turn and tilt their ears give rabbits a directional location of the sound. They also use their ears to signal other rabbits. People who have rabbits often tell that rabbits "waggle" their ears at their humans to get interaction from them.

In ending, I know there are many more different and interesting facts about animals, and I may in the future gather in some others and post here on Goerie.com.

See you on the park!!

Gene Ware is a published author of 9 books and is on the boards of the Presque Isle Light Station and was past Chairman of the Tom Ridge Center Foundation, and the Presque Isle Partnership. He is also a goerie.com contributing writer. Send questions and comments to ware906@gmail.com

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Heads or Tails - - The choice is up to you - - - Heads - Part #2 - GoErie.com

QUEENS A Bronx mother, who watched her only son rally from a gunshot wound to the head on July 4, 2019, mourned his loss outside the Queens rehab center where he spent the final months of his life.

He lived this for 13 months, Nicole Backmon said of her son Sammy, 21, outside the Park Terrace Care Center in Corona, Queens. He was a warrior.

Sammy Backmon was one face of gun violence in a city where most victims dont make headlines.

At age 20, he suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was hit by a bullet while coming home to the family apartment on Hull Avenue in the Bronx; he was celebrating the Fourth of July holiday.

He was walking home from the train and shots were fired, his uncle, Alex Rodriguez, said, and he got hit in the back of the head.

Sammy Backmon spent weeks in the intensive care unit at St. Barnabas Hospital, where he suffered brain damage that affected his speech, memory, mobility and eyesight.

The vision was really, really bad, Sammys uncle recalled. He couldnt see anything, except for a blurry silhouette.

But the family said Sammy Backmon improved remarkably after spending two months at Burke Rehab in White Plains. He was later transferred to the facility in Queens that accepted Medicaid payments.

His vision gradually got much better.

In February, wearing a helmet on his damaged skull, family cell phone videos showed physical therapists helping Sammy Backmon to start walking again.

He was almost walking independently, his mother said.

But the young man was having recurring issues with blood clots and circulation.

He made it through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in new York without getting sick, but it did have an impact on his general health.

When COVID hit, PT really slowed down, Sammys uncle recalled. He started gaining weight, he wasnt moving, his circulation wasnt good.

Surgery to put a steel plate in Sammy Backmons head was repeatedly delayed.

On June 26, Sammy Backmon enjoyed a reunion with his extended family, dining outdoors in the Bronx after a visit to a medical clinic there.

His uncle took videos, joking it was Quarantine Friday, while one of Sammy Backmons little cousins ran around the table.

In late July, Sammy Backmon finally underwent the surgery to put the plate in his head where a piece of his skull used to be.

The family said it was a success.

But on August 10, Nicole Backmon got a call she wasnt prepared for.

Sammy Backmon, her only son, was dead at 21.

They think he had a seizure, Nicole Backmon said.

Sammy Backmons death certificate said he died of complications from a gunshot wound. His family wants an autopsy performed, and theyve started a GoFundMe page to defray funeral expenses.

His mother wants the public to know he endured a lot during the months he spent in a long-term care facility.

My son suffered in silence, Nicole Backmon said. He didnt tell me everything.

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Bronx son survived gunshot wound to head, but recovery took its toll, and his life - WPIX 11 New York

If you have problems with your eyesight and struggle to watch a lot of TV, Amazons latest update to its Fire TV platform could help resolve those issues.

Amazon has announced Text Banner for its Fire TV platform. Its an assistive technology designed for those with visual impairments and narrow field of vision, including conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma and retinitis pigmentosa.

Text Banner works by consolidating the onscreen text of a selected item/icon into a compact, rectangular banner that appears in a fixed location on the screen.

The entire Fire TV user interface, Prime Video and all apps on Fire TV work with Text Banner, which Amazon says makes it easier for these customers to enjoy movies, videos. Users can customise the feature by the changing colours as well as the size of the box and the text bu heading to Settings> Accessibility > Text Banner.

Marc Powell, Strategic Accessibility Lead at RNIB, said: The accessibility of tech is changing the lives of blind and partially sighted people giving a greater sense of freedom, increasing independence and breaking down barriers to create a more inclusive world.

Amazons move to begin making its Fire TV platform more accessible for people with vision impairment is another powerful message of inclusivity to the industry and we hope to continue seeing accessibility improve as a trend across the technology sector in the years ahead.

The Text Banner feature is available now. The cheapest available Fire TV Stick costs 44.99. Prime Video costs 7.99/month or you can get it as part of a Prime Membership, which costs 79/year.

TV & Audio Editor

Kob began his career at What Hi-Fi?, starting in the dusty stockroom before rising up the ranks to join the editorial and production team as the Buyers Guide editor. Experienced in both magazine and

Unlike other sites, we thoroughly review everything we recommend, using industry standard tests to evaluate products. Well always tell you what we find. We may get a commission if you buy via our price links.Tell us what you think email the Editor

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Amazons latest Fire TV feature is designed to assist the visually impaired - TrustedReviews