StemCell Therapy

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP) today announced its support of Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Awareness Week through the launch of new educational resources designed to help people IdentifEYE TED, with a focus on symptoms, risks and where to seek care. In its second year, TED Awareness Week (Nov. 14 - Nov. 20) brings much-needed attention to this serious, progressive and potentially vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease that is often misdiagnosed for more common conditions.1

TED Awareness Week was first established in 2020 through a shared commitment from Horizon Therapeutics and patient advocacy organizations including the Autoimmune Association (formerly American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, or AARDA), the Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), the Graves Disease and Thyroid Foundation (GDATF) and Prevent Blindness. This year, several states including California, Arizona, Massachusetts, New York and Illinois are officially recognizing TED Awareness Week by adopting state resolutions or issuing proclamations. Signaling the growing need for increased public education about this physically and emotionally debilitating disease, state level recognition of TED Awareness Week invites more community involvement and support for people and families affected by TED.

My journey to diagnosis with Thyroid Eye Disease was long and frustrating, as it can be for many people, said Gail S., patient advocate living with TED. I was told my eye symptoms were just part of my Graves disease, but it wasnt until I saw a TED Specialist that I learned it was actually Thyroid Eye Disease. The more we can do to help people quickly recognize the symptoms, the faster they can get help.

For TED Awareness Week 2021, Horizon is launching IdentifEYE TED, an educational campaign designed to help people promptly identify the signs and symptoms of TED. Activities will include:

Weve learned so much from the Thyroid Eye Disease community over the past few years and have become acutely aware of the challenges for people and their families both physical and emotional that come with the condition, said Tim Walbert, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Horizon. Were incredibly proud to continue working with the TED and advocacy communities on this effort to expand Thyroid Eye Disease Awareness Week in its second year to help people recognize Thyroid Eye Disease more quickly, locate a specialist, and get the care they need.

Up to 50% of people living with Graves disease may develop TED; however, TED is a separate disease requiring separate treatment.2,3,4 Symptoms include eye grittiness, redness, swelling and pain, light sensitivity, eye bulging and double vision. 2,3 Symptoms of TED can often be misdiagnosed or confused for other diseases, resulting in delayed diagnosis and treatment. For those with Graves disease or other thyroid conditions, its important to pay close attention to your eyes. At the first sign of any changes, contact a TED Specialist, such as an oculoplastic surgeon or neuro-ophthalmologist. If not treated early, TED can cause serious damage to vision and appearance of the eyes.

To learn more about TED and find a TED Eye Specialist, visit FOCUSonTED.com, and Autoimmune Association (formerly AARDA), AEVR, GDATF and Prevent Blindness for more information.

About Thyroid Eye Disease (TED)TED is a serious, progressive and potentially vision-threatening rare autoimmune disease.1 While TED often occurs in people living with hyperthyroidism or Graves disease, it is a distinct disease that is caused by autoantibodies activating an IGF-1R-mediated signaling complex on cells within the retro-orbital space.5,6 This leads to a cascade of negative effects, which may cause long-term damage to the eyes. As TED progresses, the serious damage it can cause includes proptosis (eye building), strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) and diplopia (double vision) and in some cases, can lead to blindness.7,8 Additional information on TED can be found at ThyroidEyes.com.

About Autoimmune Association (Formerly AARDA)The Autoimmune Association is the worlds leading nonprofit organization dedicated to autoimmune advocacy, awareness, education, and research. Its mission is to lead the fight against autoimmune disease by collaborating to improve healthcare, advance research, and support the community through every step of the journey. For more information, visit http://www.autoimmune.org. Follow on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

About AEVRThe Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), a 501(c)3 non-profit foundation, conducts sustained educational efforts about the value of federally funded vision research primarily through its Congressionally recognized Decade of Vision (DOV) 2010-2020 Initiative. Within the DOV, AEVR conducts Congressional Briefings, including a November 19, 2020, virtual global Briefing that recognizes the first annual TED Awareness Week. Visit the Web site at http://www.eyeresearch.org.

About the Graves Disease and Thyroid FoundationThe Graves Disease and Thyroid Foundation (GDATF) is the leading source of help and hope for people with Graves disease and other thyroid related disorders. The organization provides education and support for patients, family members, caregivers, friends and healthcare professionals. GDATF has helped thousands of patients better understand the symptoms and treatment programs for Graves' disease. The Foundation is a 501 C(3) tax-exempt non-profit international charitable organization. For more information, visit http://www.GDATF.org and find us on Twitter (@GDATF), Facebook and Instagram.

About Prevent BlindnessFounded in 1908, Prevent Blindness is the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight. Focused on promoting a continuum of vision care, Prevent Blindness touches the lives of millions of people each year through public and professional education, advocacy and empowerment, vision screening certification, community and patient service programs, and support for research. These services are made possible through the generous support of the American public. Together with a network of affiliates, Prevent Blindness is committed to eliminating preventable blindness in America. For more information, visit us at preventblindness.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About HorizonHorizon is focused on the discovery, development and commercialization of medicines that address critical needs for people impacted by rare, autoimmune and severe inflammatory diseases. Our pipeline is purposeful: we apply scientific expertise and courage to bring clinically meaningful therapies to patients. We believe science and compassion must work together to transform lives. For more information on how we go to incredible lengths to impact lives, please visit http://www.horizontherapeutics.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

References

Read more here:
Horizon Therapeutics Recognizes Second Annual Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) Awareness Week with New Educational and Community Building Initiative -...

The Journal of Functional Foods published a recent study demonstrating that, if adults have healthy eyes, cocoa may help to increase their visual acuity. The study assessed thirty-seven young adults with healthy eyes. Over three visits to the Faculty of Optics and Optometry, the participants drank either (1) a glass of milk, (2) a drink with red-berries, or (3) a drink with cocoa. Then, during each visit, they took a series of tests to check their vision and their eyes ability to adjust to the dark.

Why cocoa and red-berries? Both foods are good sources of polyphenols. Polyphenols are non-nutrient food components that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vasoactive properties associated with protection against cardiovascular and neurological conditions. Other recent research has also suggested that dark chocolate, which contains polyphenols, can improve visual acuity.

Supporting this prior research, the study found that participants who drank cocoa were significantly better at reading eye charts. Participants who drank the red-berries also trended towards performing better on their vision tests, but the trend was not significant. There was no evidence that either cocoa or red-berries helped participants eyes to adjust to the dark.

More research is needed to determine why cocoa improved visual acuity. Researchers confirmed (yes, through urine samples) that participants polyphenol levels rose after drinking both red-berries and cocoa. Participants who drank cocoa also showed higher levels of theobromine. And cocoa, of course, also has caffeine. Based on these findings, the researchers speculate that polyphenol, coupled with theobromine and/or caffeine, is responsible for the improvement in visual acuity.

The best part of the study? Since researchers gave participants only one cup of cocoa (rather than force-feeding participants ten cups to get results . . . Im sure it happens), the study appears to have real-world implications. If youre an adult with healthy eyes, a cup of cocoa just may sharpen your vision. (And you may be able to cheat on your next eye exam.)

Read more about eye health in One Green Planet, including plant nutrients that can help eye health as well as veggies and plant-based recipes to improve eyesight.

Eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and many otherside effects.

Interested in joining the dairy-free and meatless train? We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

For more Animal, Earth, Life, Vegan Food, Health, and Recipe content published daily, subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter! Lastly, being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!

More:
Need a Boost on Your Eye Exam? Study Provides Early Evidence that Cocoa Sharpens Vision for Adults with Healthy Eyes - One Green Planet

Share

Share

Share

Email

Want to quickly renew your prescription or check your vision without visiting the doctor? Theres a way to do so now. It involves your iPhone, a fun app, and of course, a test.

The Virtual Vision Test is the new version of Warby Parkers Prescription Check app. It allows any prescription glasses wearer to quickly eliminate all doubts regarding their worsening vision.

All someone needs to do is download the iOS app and take the test in a quiet, well-lit space. Of course, that is if they already have on hand their current glasses or contacts, as well as a copy of the current prescription.

Reframd Eyewear Digitally Creates Your Frames To Fit Your Face

From about 10 feet away, users will be able to take the well-known vision test only in the comfort of their own home, this time. While the process avoids a visit to the doctors office, it doesnt exclude medical staff completely from the equation. Users will still need to validate the results of the test with an eye doctor.

If the results indicate good vision, then a $15 fee will be charged for a prescription renewal.

Bose Brings 3 New Audio Sunglasses with Speakers Built-in

If not, users will receive a recommendation to visit their doctor. And theres one more thing to take into account; the app will work only for people between 18-65 years old who have a single-vision distance prescription and no chronic eye diseases or who are under treatment.

Will there soon be an equivalent Android app? The company is considering it but the OS would need something similar to iOS Vision Framework for it to function.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit Pinterest

Subscribe to our website and stay in touch with the latest news in technology.

You will soon receive relevant content about the latest innovations in tech.

There was an error trying to subscribe to the newsletter. Please try again later.

More:
How to Use Your iPhone to Check Eyesight and Renew Your Prescription - TechTheLead

The coronavirus pandemic has been hard on all of us especially with the damage the disease has done to our physical and mental health, and the way we lived our life, in general. Everyone is restricted to their houses and are experiencing increased screen time due to online classes and work from home. Even the time that used to be spent doing other things is now being spent in front of a TV, or on the mobile phone.

As parents, we often worry about our childrens nutrition. Screen time has always been a worrisome subject, especially with the new generation, as the use of tablets, laptops, TV, and phones has gone up among children. According to reports, eye-specialist consultations have gone up during the lockdown due to increased screen time. However, the diet that your child consumes can play an important role in keeping his/her eyes healthy. There are 10 things that we can ensure our child is consuming on a regular basis for their healthy eyes.

Carrots: Carrots are rich in vitamin A (also known as retinol) in the form of beta carotene which is key in maintaining good eye health and by extension, eyesight.

Leafy greens: Spinach and other leafy greens hold the iconic antioxidant duo - lutein and zeaxanthin; two important plant-pigments key in maintaining good eye health. Theyre also highly effective in preventing serious eye conditions, like cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.

Omega 3: Omega 3 plays an important role in eye health throughout our lives. The DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) part of omega 3 is key in eye development for children, and for maintaining healthy eyes as adults. Chia seeds, flax seeds and walnuts are good plant-based sources of Omega 3.

Bell peppers: Bell peppers give you the most vitamin C per calorie. That's good for the blood vessels in your eyes, and science suggests it could lower your risk of getting cataracts. Red coloured peppers also pack eye-friendly vitamins A and E apart from many immunity boosting properties.

Sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium, and fiber, just like carrots, so they're also good for your eye health.

Fresh Pineapple: Pineapples contain vitamin C, i.e. an antioxidant that can inhibit lens oxidation and prevent cataracts.

Dried apricot: Dried Apricots are particularly beneficial to eye health because they contain vitamins A, C and E and carotenoids, which serve to absorb damaging blue and near-ultraviolet light in order to protect the retina part of the eye.

Okra/Bhindi: Okra / Bhindi contains vitamin A content which keeps your eyes and optic nerve safe. Hence, it keeps your eyesight good. Vitamin A is also a potent antioxidant vitamin which plays an important role in reducing the impact of free radicals and is even associated with reduced cataract development.

Broccoli: Broccoli is packed full of lutein and zeaxanthin. These are two of the most important nutrients that your eyes can have because of the ability to prevent oxidation of the retina and age-related degeneration. There is also an antioxidant that is found in broccoli that may prevent blindness called sulforaphane.

Purple Cabbage: Vitamin A in purple cabbage makes the eyes healthy and improves vision. It also reduces the risk of macular degeneration and cataract. The nutrients in the vegetable keep the eyes healthy even during old age.

When it comes to creating good health and good eyes, right nutrition is of utmost importance. And the best part of eating right is that it also helps in overall growth and development of our children. Needless to say, that even the immunity of our children heavily depends on the right nutrition that they consume after all 85% of our immunity lies in our gut.

(Karan Kakkad is a Disease Reversal expert based in India. He is the Founder & CEO of Reverse Factor. To know more call 8100550660 or visitwww.reversefactor.in)

Read the rest here:
10 foods that are good for kids' eyesight - Free Press Journal

A senior Ayurveda expert with The Art of Living's Sri Sri Tattva Panchakarma shares a few tips to boost vision health while working from home.

Written by Jahnavi Sarma | Updated : July 16, 2021 1:41 PM IST

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, today, many people are working from home. In fact, according to a survey conducted by a Chennai-based firm, almost 95 per cent of Indian firms are planning to allow their employees to continue working from home for the next 2 years. Now, as we all know, this means spending long hours staring at a computer screen. According to a CMR study, the average screen time for Indians shot up by 25 per cent to up to 6.5 hours last year and as many as 23 per cent respondents complained of weaker eyesight owing to increased screen time, cataract and other age-related vision problems. But the numbers are likely to be much worse this year as people continued to use their devices for work, school and social networking during the pandemic. In this article, we share some very useful tips and home remedies for reducing eye strain and maintaining eye health by Dr. Champavathi, senior Ayurveda expert with The Art of Living's Sri Sri Tattva Panchakarma.

As we stay glued to our tablets and smart phones, laptops and television sets ever since the lockdowns began, prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from these devices can result in repetitive strain to the eyes. Our eyes are the fastest and the most active muscle in the human body. We know yoga, an hour of brisk walk or lifting free weights in the gym can strengthen our muscles, support cardiovascular health and improve blood circulation. But what about the eyes? Often, we tend to neglect eye health unless we notice that there is something really wrong with our vision.

Studies suggest that 50 per cent to 90 per cent of people who work on the computer screen show symptoms of computer vision syndrome (CVS) also known as digital eye strain. The screen forces the eye to focus and refocus all the time causing headaches, dry red eyes, constant itching, tearing and blurred vision. Overtime, the constant flickering and glare from the screen make your eyes work harder causing damage to the eye muscle. Normally, in a minute, we blink about 16 to 18 times. But when you read or stare at the screen, you tend to blink only about 8-10 times. Why is blinking so important? Dr. Champavathi says that when we blink, tears spread over the cornea. Tears contain certain proteins that provide the much-required nourishment for the eye. Intermittent blinking also provides rest to the macular- a part of the retina responsible for our central vision.

Exposure to environment-related irritants like pollen, air pollution, temperature variations and ultraviolet radiations are hazardous for healthy vision. Poor lifestyle habits like consumption of junk food or a high fat diet, alcohol, tobacco and prolonged exposure to bright light quickens the pace of decline in eye health. A habit like smoking, for example, can reduce night vision and leads to degenerative eye problems at an early age, sometimes as early as 28.

Ayurveda-based home remedies and tips can naturally nourish the eye. Dr. Champavathi shares a few tips here.

This is an ancient technique in Ayurveda that provides instant relaxation to the eyes, keeping them away from all light stimuli. First, rub your palms vigorously. Close your eyes and place the warm palms on your eyes. Make sure your palms are cupped so you don't add pressure to your eyeball. Take a slow deep breath in and exhale from your nose. Do this for about 2 to 3 minutes. The best time to practice palming is before bedtime. It will also enhance sleep quality.

Ice is considered to be sheeta satmya in Ayurveda. To counteract the effect of excessive heat in the eye, soak cotton balls or a piece of gauze in milk/rose water and place them on your eye lids for about 5 minutes. This will immediately relieve the eye of any strain.

Of the great elements that matter is made of, the eye is related to light and fire. So, to maintain good eye health, Ayurveda recommends that water used for bathing should not be too hot or too cold but lukewarm. Bathing in hot water causes an imbalance in the fire element.

These are very simple hand gestures and, to practice them, you need not sit in lotus position and meditate upon them (though meditating and pranayamas with mudras is extremely effective). You can practice most Mudras lying down or sitting. But even with normal breath, you will see the results. Mudras are defined as healing modality in oriental systems of wellness. It is made by bringing the tips of the fingers in contact with each other in specific formations to give the desired result. When practiced along with breathing exercises, it increase the flow of life force in the body, leaving you energized and relaxed with just a few minutes of practice.

Keep your spine erect, body relaxed and keep your palms open on your lap before closing your eyes. Gently join the tip of your little finger and ring finger to the tip of your thumb and straighten your other fingers. Breathe normally. Practice this Prana Mudra regularly for about 15 minutes. It helps improve vision and heals eye irritation.

Splash tap water about 3-5 times on the eye to activate the facial arteries and nerves.

Create positive changes in your life by breaking a habit that can unnecessarily create more strain for your eyes. Take off your glasses during mealtime or when you are in conversation with a friend. Spectacle is not a treatment, it is an aid.

Interestingly, Ayurveda connects anger and frustration with eyesight. Anger as an emotion is said to release adrenaline to our blood which dilates the pupil and allows more light to enter the eye than is ideal. So, managing your anger issues can also help reduce eye strain. Take a few slow deep breaths or try and diffuse that temper with humor. You can also practice pranayama such as alternate nostril breathing to calm down the nervous system.

Here's a checklist shared by Dr. Champavathi. Make sure you tick off items from the list before you begin your day.

Eye diseases do not come with a warning sign. Symptoms usually appear suddenly and worsen rapidly. People with diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma may not even notice vision problem in its infancy. Sudden blurriness or trouble seeing colors and fine details are signs of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Eventually some of these diseases can even cause blindness.

Join us on

See more here:
Reduce Eye Strain While Working From Home: Ayurveda Remedies To Deal With Computer Vision Syndrome - TheHealthSite

(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO, IL Prevent Blindness, the nations oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization, held the 10th annual Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit as a virtual event on July 14 and 15, 2021. This years Summit included a variety of presentations and discussions related to the theme, Our Changing Vision with more than 1,000 registered attendees.

In addition to a wide variety of presentations and moderated discussions, the Summit provided attendees with the opportunity to visit virtual booths of event sponsors, as well as chat and network with fellow attendees and presenters.

Michael F. Chiang, M.D., director of the National Eye Institute (NEI) at the National Institutes of Health kicked off the Summit as the keynote speaker with his presentation Eliminating Blindness & Improving Quality of Life through Vision. Amy Dixon, paralympic athlete and president of Glaucoma Eyes International, and Ross C. Brownson, PhD, Lipstein Distinguished Professor of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis, served as keynote speakers the following day.

Additional presenters included:

Moderated discussions included Myopia: A Global Health Challenge, Inequities in Vision Population Health Research, Barriers to Care in the Covid-era, Social Determinants of Vision and Health as it Relates to Learning, Emerging Telehealth and Artificial Intelligence Policy, Improving Vision Health Equity through Workforce Diversity, Aging Eye and Vision, Innovations in Vision and Eye Health: Highlights from State-level Practices, Systems, and Policies, The Importance of the Patient Advocate in Vision Health, and Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System: Using National, State, and County-level Prevalence Data.

During the event, Prevent Blindness formally presented the 2021 Jenny Pomeroy Award for Excellence in Vision and Public Health to R.V. Paul Chan, MD, MSc, MBA, FACS, Professor and Head, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, the John H. Panton, MD Professor of Ophthalmology, Director, Pediatric Retina and ROP Service at the Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). And, Ms. Shervonne Poleon, Vision Science Graduate Program student, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), was presented with the second annual Rising Visionary Award.

Copies of presentations and webinar recordings are now available at preventblindness.org/eyesummit-2021-agenda-presentations.

Genentech, Horizon Therapeutics and PhRMA, served as the 10th Annual Focus on Eye Health National Summit Platinum Sponsors. Gold sponsors were Alcon, Biogen, Center for Vision and Population Health at Prevent Blindness, The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama, National Center for Childrens Vision and Eye Health at Prevent Blindness, Novartis, Regeneron and the Seva Foundation.

Silver sponsors included Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR), American Optometric Association, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), American Society of Retina Specialists, Bausch+Lomb, BrightFocus Foundation, CooperVision, Foundation Fighting Blindness, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, National Industries for the Blind, National Keratoconus Foundation, Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation, Research to Prevent Blindness, Santen, School Health, Vision 2020 USA and VisionServe Alliance.

Over the last ten years, The Focus on Eye Health National Summit has grown to be one of the premier events in the vision and public health industry as well as expanded to reach participants in more than 60 countries across the globe, said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. We thank our generous sponsors, engaging presenters and moderators, and all of those who attended to help make the 2021 Focus on Eye Health National Summit a great success.

For more information about the 2021 Prevent Blindness Focus on Eye Health National Summit, visit http://www.preventblindness.org/eyesummit.

Read more here:
Prevent Blindness Holds 'Focus on Eye Health' National Summit - InvisionMag

A recent media report, quoting a survey collated by the UK-based Feel-Good Contacts, reported that Indians suffered maximum damage to eyesight globally due to increased screen time as education, work and entertainment moved online because of coronavirus-induced lockdowns.

The survey said that as many as 27.5 crore Indians, or nearly 23% of the population, saw their eyesight weakening because of excessive screen time, even though other factors such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration also impacted the eyesight.

The report noted that lockdowns and social distancing had been major contributors to the growth in screen time as people stayed locked at home for long periods.

Alarming? Yes. Surprising? No. Heres why. Several studies, including those by Lancet Global Health and the World Health Organisation, have put Indians at a huge risk of diabetes and glaucoma-induced vision problems, including complete blindness.

That India is a world capital of diabetes is a sad and known fact; what we Indians still havent realised is the many complications we have to deal with because of the burgeoning cases of diabetes in the country.

Losing vision

Human aspirations drive the world economy. Every person aspires to own a house, a vehicle, and the basic necessities that our ancestors considered a luxury. Modern times are such that aspirations keep growing. A bigger car, a better phone, a holiday home, foreign holiday, bigger and smarter TVs the list keeps growing.

In the middle of this race to give ourselves a better life, are we able to manage our finances to tackle medical emergencies? Are we every month keeping aside a portion of our incomes to prevent ailments? Most Indian middle-class and lower middle-class households end up in a medical poverty trap when confronted with a life-threatening ailment.

Why preventive healthcare?

The primary factors for vision problems among Indians are 1: Diabetic retinopathy; 2: AMD or age-related macular degeneration including cataract; 3: UV light; 4: Blue light.

As in the case of UV light, sunlight is the main source of blue light. But there are also man-made, indoor sources of blue light, including fluorescent and LED lighting and flat-screen TVs. Most notably, the display screens of computers, electronic notebooks, smartphones and other digital devices emit significant amounts of blue light.

In all four factors, preventive healthcare and use of natural products can prevent and reverse vision damage. Medical science has enough evidence that Type 2 Diabetes the main cause of diabetic retinopathy is almost always preventable even in families with a history of the disease through exercise and right food choices.

It is important to quote here a report prepared by the Lancet Global Health Commission on global eye health. Titled Global Eye Health: Vision Beyond 2020, the report said that last year (2020), an estimated 596 million people worldwide had distance vision impairment and a further 510 million had uncorrected near vision impairment.

Most of these people live in low-income and middle-income countries (India comes under this category). The report further said that the global prevalance of diabetes, the main cause of vision impairment, had tripled in the past 20 years.

The increase, mainly in Type 2 Diabetes, is attributed to dietary and lifestyle changes related to urbanisation, population growth, and increasing life expectancy. It further said that almost everyone will experience impaired vision or an eye condition during their lifetime and require eye care services.

Catch them young

While households can immediately start investing in preventive healthcare and the nutra companies will surely take steps to bring in the best and the safest products to every home, the Government of India must, without any further delay, introduce preventive healthcare in school curriculums.

Let me give you an example of an initiative we had undertaken in rural Karnataka which involved families of around 1,500 farmers as part of corporate social responsibility activities. In one of our surveys we found in a particular village most kids suffering from dysentery. Further investigation revealed the main cause of the problem was due to lack of proper hygiene such as not washing of hands.

We organised a camp that solely focused on children, where more than 500 kids were taught to wash hands in a correct way, and frequently. These children, in turn, got their parents and other family members to follow the hygiene protocols and soon enough, the cases of dysentery in the village came down to nil.

The Government of India and the education sector need to show vision here, pun intended. The ideal way to create a healthy society is to create and invest in preventive healthcare system, and for that to happen, the beginning must be from the school classrooms.

Remember how Apple founder Steve Jobs in 1982 created the Kids Cant Wait programme and donated a computer to each of around 9,000 elementary and secondary schools in California. And the rest, as they say, is history.

It will be downright stupid of we as a nation to let the people of India continue to suffer from vision problems even after knowing that there are tools available to prevent and reverse some of the damage.

(Sanjaya Mariwala is Executive Chairman & Managing Director for OmniActive Health Technologies.)

See the rest here:
Eye problems on the rise in India amid Covid-19 pandemic - Free Press Journal

As I may have mentioned 18 or 19 times before, I had cataract surgery a couple of months ago; and just as that was completed, I was able to register for the vaccine. So, to give the whole thing a narrative completeness, the day after I got my second jab (Moderna. Yes, I know), I made my final visit to the Cataract Guy.

This hadnt been on the original schedule. Wed already had the final appointment where Cataract Guy had declared himself happy with my recovery. It was just that in the subsequent weeks, Id noticed a large spot on the vision of my right eye. It was probably nothing. I was probably being neurotic.

Theres nothing worse than being neurotic and then being proven to be right.

I had a detached retina. It was at the top of my eye, which apparently made it the worst sort. Cataract Guy went into a complex analogy involving wallpaper and bulges. And while he never explicitly said there was an imminent threat to my eyesight, he didnt have to. He told me I had to go to see Retina Guy, and I had to go right now.

Ominously, he intoned Good Luck.

Because such examinations involve vision-obscuring eye drops, I couldnt drive: so, what had been a slightly-annoying taxi job for Herself suddenly became an ambulance run into the city centre. She had to re-arrange her work schedule as she drove. We had a conversation/slight argument where she bombarded me with questions I couldnt answer. I had peeling eye wallpaper and it was serious. That was all I had managed to take in.

Retina Guy didnt say there was a threat to my eyesight either. Instead, he asked me when I had last eaten and announced his intention to operate that afternoon. As is standard in these situations, he set about explaining what the procedure involved, but I stopped him when he got to the word Jelly. Just put me to sleep and fix it.

Thankfully, he respected this, but did go to some pains to address an issue that had nothing to do with me eye: youre in shock, he told me. You will be in shock for the next few days. Youll need to acknowledge that. Just before the operation he visited me again and repeated the advice. He patted me on the arm. It was the arm that I had got my jab in the day before so it hurt, but I did appreciate the gesture.

While at the time I thought I was being all James Bond about it, he was correct. Afterwards, I felt frail and anxious. The post-operative regime required me to spend days with my head bent forward. I couldnt drive or bend over or lift anything. I couldnt see out of my right eye because they had pumped gas into it. (Which causes hilariously poor depth perception).

I felt useless, frustrated and guilty because now Herself had to do everything. I couldnt do any housework. I couldnt dress Daughter Number Four or read her bedtime stories. Herself didnt complain, but the strain and the worry were obvious.

Yet our story is a relatively mild one. Within a month or so, my eyesight should, hopefully, come back to normal. Every day, people have to deal with far more serious conditions, life-limiting and life-threatening; and while the focus is understandably on the condition itself, the psychological toll it takes on the person and their family can get overlooked. The lives of those doing the caring are also limited, yet they may feel they dont have the right to complain.

Even the most humdrum tasks can become bent with the strain. When Herself delivered me to the second hospital, she couldnt come in because of Covid. I got out of the car, and just as I was about the cross the road, she accidently reversed into me. Appropriately, I was in her blind spot.

View post:
Sean Moncrieff: I felt useless, frustrated and guilty after my operation - The Irish Times

Oregon Eye Specialists, PC and the American Academy of Ophthalmology share facts about the eye condition and the surgery used to treat it.

Approximately 25 million Americans have cataracts, which causes cloudy, blurry or dim vision and often develops with advancing age. This month, Oregon Eye Specialists joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in observing Cataract Awareness Month by sharing three things everyone should know about the condition and its treatment. As everyone grows older, the lenses of their eyes thicken and become cloudier. Eventually, they may find it more difficult to read street signs. Colors may seem dull. These symptoms may signal cataracts, which affect about 70 percent of people by age 75. Fortunately, cataracts can be corrected with surgery. Ophthalmologists, physicians who specialize in medical and surgical eye care, perform around three million cataract surgeries each year to restore vision to those patients. The following are facts people should know about the condition.

1. Age isnt the only risk factor for cataracts. Though most everyone will develop cataracts with age, recent studies show that lifestyle and behavior can influence when and how severely you develop cataracts. Diabetes, extensive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure and certain ethnicities have all been linked to increased risk of cataracts. Eye injuries, prior eye surgery and long-term use of steroid medication can also result in cataracts. If you have any of these or other risk factors, talk to an ophthalmologist.

2. Cataracts cannot be prevented, but you can lower your risk. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats when outside can help. Several studies suggest that eating more vitamin C-rich foods may delay how fast cataracts form. Also, avoid smoking cigarettes, which have been shown to increase the risk of cataract development.

3. Surgery may help improve more than just your vision. During the procedure, the natural clouded lens is replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, which should improve your vision significantly. Patients have a variety of lenses to choose from, each with different benefits. Studies have shown that cataract surgery can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of falling. If cataracts are interfering with your ability to see well, consider asking your ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed on older adults around the world says Devin Gattey, MD, President of Oregon Eye Specialists. The highly skilled surgeons working in our clinics have performed tens of thousands of cataract surgeries collectively, and they have the wisdom to recommend whether surgery is right for an individual patient. Patient education prior to a cataract procedure is a vital component of the surgical journey, and our physicians will strive to provide you with clarity at every step, says Gattey.

To learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit the Oregon Eye Specialists Eye Health Blog or the American Academy of Ophthalmologys EyeSmart website.

About Oregon Eye Specialists, PCOregon Eye Specialists, PC is a 19-physician ophthalmology and optometry practice with six clinics throughout Oregon. Our providers are experienced in the full range of medical, surgical and vision eye care for all ages. Our entire team is dedicated to providing our patients with excellent service and personalized care. http://www.oregoneyes.net.

About the American Academy of OphthalmologyThe American Academy of Ophthalmology is the worlds largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care.

Original post:
Three Things Patients Should Know About Cataracts - Oregon Business

SANTA ANA, Calif., July 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson Vision*, a global leader in eye health and part of the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies**, today announced that 21 company-sponsored studies supporting cataract surgery outcomes will be presented at the 2021 American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) and American Society of Ophthalmic Administrators (ASOA) Annual Meeting in Las Vegas Nevada, July 23-27, 2021. A complete listing of abstracts related to Johnson & Johnson Vision can be found on the ASCRS website.

"We're passionate about developing evidenced-based solutions that surgeons use to improve their patients' sight and wellbeing, as well as evaluating the clinical outcomes of those innovations," said Rajesh Rajpal,*** MD, Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Clinical and Medical Affairs, Johnson & Johnson Vision. "This year at ASCRS we've more than tripled our presentations, offering a robust slate of clinical data, including data for our new TECNIS Synergy IOL2 and postmarket data evaluating the rotational stability of the TECNIS Toric II IOLs,1 as we know it will be beneficial for surgeons to consider when they are determining their cataract patients' treatment plans."

At the meeting, Johnson & Johnson Vision will also feature the new monofocal and PC-IOL lenses introduced this year, and its next-gen phaco emulsification system that received FDA 510(k) clearance earlier this year at its booth (#2813), host a case-based discussion on the new TECNIS Synergy IOL, and help bring the diverse ophthalmology community back together by sponsoring the OWL organization's Signature Event. Additionally, a skills transfer wet-lab for VERITAS Vision System will be featured in the Johnson & Johnson Vision booth (#2813), allowing customers to be among the first in the United States to receive hands-on experience with the system.

Evidence Supports Excellent Visual Performance and Rotational Stability with TECNIS IOLs1,2,3

Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and depth perception are highly interrelated elements of vision and impact health-related quality of life and safety.4,5 IOL data being presented utilize novel rotation measurement method to evaluate rotational stability of the TECNIS Toric II IOL,1 and reviews head-to-head data for the TECNIS Synergy IOL, showing the lenses deliver excellent performance, image contrast, and outcomes for cataract patients.2,6

Data Shows TearScience LipiFlow Treatment Prior to Cataract Surgery Optimizes Outcomes7

The incidence of ocular surface disease in patients presenting for cataract surgery is over 80%8 and 60% of cataract surgery candidates are asymptomatic.9 In alignment with current ASCRS clinical guidelines, the proactive diagnosis and management of MGD in the preoperative cataract patient is recommended.10 Data presented evaluates the improvements in visual acuity, reporting of halos, and improvement of MGD function in patients treated prior to bilateral cataract surgery.

Evaluation Demonstrates Improved Performance of VERITAS Vision System Fluidics Packs

Anterior chamber stability is key to successful outcomes for patients undergoing cataract surgery, while post-occlusion surge is a main source of chamber instability during cataract surgery.11,12,13 Optimal fluidics management may reduce complication rates.14 Key datawill assess if the new Hybrid Fluidics Technologyon the VERITAS Vision System minimize post-occlusion surge and protects intraocular structures to provide exceptional chamber stability.

All educational content of the ASCRSASOA Annual Meeting is planned by its program committee, and ASCRSASOA does not endorse, promote, approve, or recommend the use of any products, devices, or services.

vs Acrysof IQ PanOptix IOL, TECNIS Symfony IOL, TECNIS Multifocal IOL (United States). Based on comparison of DFU defocus curves and a head to head clinical study vs. Acrysof IQ PanOptix IOL.

Continuous 20/32 or better

Head to head clinical study vs. Acrysof IQ PanOptix IOL.

About The TECNISFamily of IOLs

At Johnson & Johnson Vision, quality begins with the platform. The TECNIS platform uses a proprietary combination of materials and design to deliver more for patients more clarity withlower reflectance/lower dispersion vs competitor platform,15,16,17 low levels of chromatic aberration 18, and almost complete elimination of spherical aberration.19 The TECNIS portfolio also delivers moreimage contrast- day and night -than the leading competitor platform 20,21 and more stabilityto stand the test of time.21,22,23Finally, TECNIS delivers more choice for surgeons and patients - offering thebroadest portfolio of IOLs, with solutions for vision across a variety of different visual conditions and lifestyles.24

About Johnson & Johnson Vision

At Johnson & Johnson Vision, part of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies**, we have a bold ambition: to change the trajectory of eye health worldwide. Through our operating companies, we deliver innovation that enables eye care professionals to create better outcomes for patients throughout their lives, with products and technologies that address unmet needs including refractive error, cataracts, and dry eye. In communities with greatest need, we work in collaboration to expand access to quality eye care, and we are committed to helping people see better, connect better, live better. Visit us at jjvision.com, follow @JNJVision on Twitter, Johnson & Johnson Vision on LinkedIn, and @JNJVision on Facebook.

About Johnson & JohnsonMedical Devices Companies

At Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies, we are helping people live their best lives. Building on more than a century of expertise, we tackle pressing healthcare challenges, and take bold steps that lead to new standards of care while improving people's healthcare experiences. In surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions, we are helping to save lives and paving the way to a healthier future for everyone, everywhere.

Competitor platforms included are Hoya, Alcon & B&L Acrylic

Against IOLs that use Hoya, Alcon Acrylic, and B&L Silicone

Against Acrysof IOL & Clareon IOL

AgainstAcrysof IOL

INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR TECNIS Synergy IOL with TECNIS Simplicity Delivery System, Model DFR00V and TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOL with TECNIS Simplicity Delivery System, Models DFW150, DFW225, DFW300, DFW375

INDICATIONS

The TECNIS Simplicity Delivery System is used to fold and assist in inserting the TECNIS Synergy IOL which is indicated for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia in adult patients, with less than 1 diopter of pre-existing corneal astigmatism, in whom a cataractous lens has been removed. The TECNIS Simplicity Delivery System is used to fold and assist in inserting the TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOLs that are indicated for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia and for reduction of refractive astigmatism in adult patients with greater than or equal to 1 diopter of preoperative corneal astigmatism, in whom a cataractous lens has been removed. Compared to an aspheric monofocal lens, the TECNIS Synergy IOLs mitigate the effects of presbyopia by providing improved visual acuity at intermediate and near distances to reduce eyeglass wear, while maintaining comparable distance visual acuity. The lens is intended for capsular bag placement only.

WARNINGS

Intraocular lenses may exacerbate an existing condition, may interfere with diagnosis or treatment of a condition or may pose an unreasonable risk to the eyesight of patients. Patients should have well-defined visual needs and be informed of possible visual effects (such as a perception of halo, starburst or glare around lights), which may be expected in nighttime or poor visibility conditions. Patients may perceive these visual effects as bothersome, which, on rare occasions, may be significant enough for the patient to request removal of the IOL. The physician should carefully weigh the potential risks and benefits for each patient. Patients with a predicted postoperative residual astigmatism greater than 1.0 diopter, with or without a toric lens, may not fully benefit in terms of reducing spectacle wear. Rotation of the TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOL from its intended axis can reduce its astigmatic correction. Misalignment greater than 30 may increase postoperative refractive cylinder. If necessary, lens repositioning should occur as early as possible, prior to lens encapsulation. The lens and delivery system should be discarded if the lens has been folded within the cartridge for more than 10 minutes. Not doing so may result in the lens being stuck in the cartridge. Do not attempt to disassemble, modify, or alter the delivery system or any of its components, as this can significantly affect the function and/or structural integrity of the design.

PRECAUTIONS

Interpret results with caution when using autorefractors or wavefront aberrometers that utilize infrared light, or when performing a duochrome test. Confirmation of refraction with maximum plus manifest refraction technique is strongly recommended. The ability to perform some eye treatments (e.g., retinal photocoagulation) may be affected by the IOL optical design. The surgeon should target emmetropia, as this lens is designed for optimum visual performance when emmetropia is achieved. The TECNIS Synergy IOLs should not be placed in the ciliary sulcus. Carefully remove all viscoelastic and do not over-inflate the capsular bag at the end of the case. Residual viscoelastic and/or over-inflation of the capsular bag may allow the lens to rotate, causing misalignment of the TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOL. All preoperative surgical parameters are important when choosing a TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOL for implantation, including preoperative keratometric cylinder (magnitude and axis), incision location, the surgeon's estimated surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) and biometry. Variability in any of the preoperative measurements can influence patient outcomes and the effectiveness of treating eyes with lower amounts of preoperative corneal astigmatism. The effectiveness of TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOLs in reducing postoperative residual astigmatism in patients with preoperative corneal astigmatism < 1.0 diopter has not been demonstrated. Patients with a predicted postoperative astigmatism greater than 1.0 D may not be suitable candidates for implantation with the TECNIS Synergy and TECNIS Synergy Toric II IOLs, as they may not obtain the benefits of reduced spectacle wear or improved intermediate and near vision seen in patients with lower predicted postoperative astigmatism.

ATTENTION:Reference the Directions for Use for a complete listing of Indications and Important Safety Information.

INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR THE TECNIS TORIC AND TECNIS TORIC II 1-PIECE IOL

Rx Only

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this device to sale, distribution and use by or on the order of a physician.

INDICATIONS

The TECNISToric II 1-Piece and TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL posterior chamber lens is indicated for the visual correction of aphakia and pre-existing corneal astigmatism of one diopter or greater in adult patients with or without presbyopia in whom a cataractous lens has been removed by phacoemulsification and who desire improved uncorrected distance vision, reduction in residual refractive cylinder, and increased spectacle independence for distance vision. The device is intended to be placed in the capsular bag.

WARNINGS

Physicians considering lens implantation should weigh the potential risk/benefit ratio for any circumstances described in the TECNISToric II 1-Piece and TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL Directions for Use that could increase complications or impact patient outcomes. The clinical study for the TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL did not show evidence of effectiveness for the treatment of preoperative corneal astigmatism of less than one diopter. The TECNIS Toric II 1-Piece and TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL should not be placed in the ciliary sulcus. Rotation of the TECNIS Toric II 1-Piece and TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL away from its intended axis can reduce its astigmatic correction. Misalignment greater than 30 may increase postoperative refractive cylinder.

PRECAUTIONS

Accurate keratometry and biometry in addition to the use of the TECNIS Toric Calculator (www.TecnisToricCalc.com) are recommended to achieve optimal visual outcomes. The safety and effectiveness of the toric intraocular lens have not been substantiated in patients with certain preexisting ocular conditions and intraoperative complications. Refer to the TECNIS Toric II 1-Piece and TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL Directions for Use for a complete description of the preexisting conditions and intraoperative complications. All preoperative surgical parameters are important when choosing a toric lens for implantation. Variability in any of the preoperative measurements can influence patient outcomes. All corneal incisions were placed temporally in the clinical study. When the insertion system is used improperly, the haptics of the TECNIS Toric II 1-Piece and TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL may become broken. Please refer to the specific instructions for use provided with the insertion instrument or system. Do not reuse, resterilize, or autoclave.

ADVERSE EVENTS

The most frequently reported cumulative adverse event that occurred during the TECNIS Toric 1-Piece IOL clinical trial was surgical re-intervention which occurred at a rate of 3.4% (lens repositioning procedures and retinal repair procedures).

ATTENTION

Reference the Directions for Use labeling for a complete listing of Indications and Safety Information.

INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for the VERITAS Vision System

Rx Only

INDICATIONS FOR USE:The VERITAS Vision System is a modular ophthalmic microsurgical system that facilitates anterior segment (i.e., cataract) ophthalmic surgery. The modular design allows the users to configure the system to meet their surgical requirements

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Risks and complications of cataract surgery may include corneal burn. This device is only to be used by a trained licensed physician

ATTENTION:Reference the labeling for a complete listing of Indications and Important Safety Information

INDICATIONS AND IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION for LIPIFLOWThermal Pulsation System

Rx Only

INDICATIONS: The LipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System is intended for the application of localized heat and pressure therapy in adult patients with chronic cystic conditions of the eyelids, including meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD), also known as evaporative dry eye or lipid deficiency dry eye.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Do not use the LipiFlow System in patients with the following conditions. Use of the device in patients with these conditions may cause injury. Safety and effectiveness of the device have not been studied in patients with these conditions.

PRECAUTIONS: Use of the LipiFlow System in patients with the conditions described in the LipiFlow instructions for use may result in reduced treatment effectiveness because these conditions may cause ocular symptoms unrelated to cystic meibomian glands and require other medical management. Safety and effectiveness of the device have not been studied in patients with these conditions.

WARNINGS: Caution: Use carefully. May cause serious burns. Do not use over sensitive skin areas or in the presence of poor circulation. The unattended use of the device by children or incapacitated persons may be dangerous.

ADVERSE EFFECTS: Potential adverse effects that may occur as a result of the procedure include, but are not limited to, the onset or increase in:

ATTENTION

Reference theLipiFlow Thermal Pulsation System Instructions for Use for a complete listing of indications, warnings, and precautions.

*Johnson & Johnson Vision represents the products and services of Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc., Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc., and the affiliates of both.

**The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies comprise the surgery, orthopaedics, vision, and interventional solutions businesses within Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices segment.

***Rajesh Rajpal is an employee of Johnson & Johnson Vision, Inc., serving as Chief Medical Officer and Global Head of Clinical and Medical Affairs.

Johnson & Johnson Vision, 2021. All rights reserved.

1 DOF2021CT4012 Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision Inc, 2021

2 DOF2020CT4014 - Forte 1: A Comparative Clinical Evaluation of a New TECNIS Presbyopia Correcting Intraocular Lens Against a PanOptix Intraocular Lens- DEFOCUS CURVES AND VISUAL ACUITY RESULTS

3 DOF2020CT4015- ("Forte 1"): A Comparative Clinical Evaluation of a New TECNIS Presbyopia Correcting Intraocular Lens Against a PanOptix Intraocular Lens- SPECTACLE WEAR AND SATISFACTION RESULTS

4 Shader RI (2019) Falls, Frailty, Vision, and Aging. Clin Ther 41 (3): 369-372.

5 Datta S, Foss AJ, Grainge MJ, Gregson RM, Zaman A et al. (2008) The importance of acuity, stereopsis, and contrast sensitivity for health-related quality of life in elderly women with cataracts. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 49 (1): 1-6.

6 Johnson & Johnson Vision. DOF2021CT4012 v1.0

7 DOF2021MLT40003 TearScience LipiFlow (Tahoe Study)

8 Gupta, P K.; Drinkwater, O; VanDusen, K; Brissette, A; Starr, C. Prevalence of ocular surface dysfunction in patients presenting for cataract surgery evaluation. J Catarct Refract Surg 2018; 44:1090-1096

9 Trattler WB, Majmundar PA, Donnenfeld ED, McDonald MB, Stonecipher KG, Goldberg DF. The Prospective Health Assessment of Cataract Patients Ocular Surface (PHACO) study: the effect of dry eye. Clin Ophthalmol 2017; 11:1423-1430.

10 Starr C, et al. The ASCRS Cornea Clinical Committee. An algorithm for the preoperative diagnosis and treatment of ocular surface disorders. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2019;45:669-684).

11 Nicoli M, Dimalanta R, Miller K (2016) Experimental anterior chamber maintenance in active versus passive phacoemulsification fluidics systems. J Cataract Refract Surg 42: 157-162.

12 Chang D (2008) Improving Surgical Safety With Modern Phaco Technology. Cat & Refr Surg Today 11; 1-3.

13 Zeng M, Wang R, Cheng B, Yang C, Chen Y, Liu X (2020) Effectiveness of operative intraocular lens use on improving surgical safety for dense cataract phacoemulsification: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep 10, 1600. doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-58597-0.

14 Benjamin L (2018) Fluidics and rheology in phaco surgery: what matters and what is the hype? Eye; 32: 204-209.

15 Zhao H, Mainster MA. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007; 91:12251229.

16 Zhao H, Mainster MA. Br J Ophthalmol. 2007; 91:12251229.

17 Krader CG.EUROTIMES 2011/2012;16/17: 18.

18 Data on File, DOF2018CT4007, Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. 2018

19 Piers P, Manzanera S, Prieto P, Gorceix N, Artal P. Use of adaptive optics to determine the optimal ocular spherical aberration. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2007 Oct;33(10):1721-62.

20 Data on File, DOF2018OTH 4004 Johnson & Johnson Surgical Vision, Inc. 2018. (Modular transfer function (MTF) is a measure of the amount of contrast transferred by the optics in a visual system. The higher the MTF value, the more contrast transferred to the image, resulting in higher image contrast.)

21 Nagata M, Matsushima H, Mukai K, Terauchi W, Senoo T, Wada H, Yoshida S. Clinical evaluation of the transparency of hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens optics. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2010 Dec;36(12):2056-60.

22 Van der Mooren M, Franssen L, Piers P. Effects of glistenings in intraocular lenses. Biomed Opt Express.

23 Auffarth GU, et al. Analysis of optical purity and optical quality of a new extended range of vision IOL. Poster presented at: The 20th ESCRS Winter Meeting; February2016, Athens, Greece.

24 Freeman W. Market Scope - 2017 IOL report: a global market analysis for 2016 to 2022. P. 79, 137, 174. REF2018MLT4002

PP2021CT5310

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson Vision

https://www.jjvision.com/

Read the original:
Johnson & Johnson Vision Presents Scientific Data Validating Improved Surgical Outcomes With Latest Cataract Innovations And Legacy MGD Treatment...

After an accident, its all too easy to say that workplace hazards should have been handled better. But preventing accidents at work - spotting hazards and countering them before anyone gets hurt - will always be first prize. So says Gary Rodney, a behavioural optometrist who assists businesses with vision-related questions pertaining to the workplace.

The most serious workplace eye injuries are likely to occur in specific work environments. When theres dust, compressed air, tools, and especially power tools, extremely bright light or UV light, or work involving the use of chemicals, eyes can be at risk, and eye protection will be especially important.

Were usually looking at situations in which the surface of the eye gets scratched, foreign bodies become embedded in the eye, the eye is punctured, or chemicals have burned eye tissue. Welding flashes give off very bright UV light, and theyre also responsible for many eye injuries in the workplace. says Gary.

Effective eye protection in the workplace isnt just a matter of identifying areas where its needed and making sure its available - although thats a good start. Both employers and employees need to be educated and aware, says Gary. There are often instances in which eye protection is provided, but not worn, or the eye protection is inadequate, incorrect, or poorly-fitting.

Making employers and employees aware of workplace hazards, and sustaining that awareness is very important. When people work in hazardous situations every day, it becomes the norm. They get careless, and thats a very dangerous state of affairs.

Once there is awareness coupled with the provision of adequate eye protection, and a safety-oriented workplace culture that enforces the use of safety equipment and safety protocols, the risk of eye injuries in the workplace is substantially reduced.

Choosing the right eye protection to use at work is rather more complicated than it may initially seem. As a basic guideline, it should comply with Australian Standards which cover the types of safety gear that should be used to guard against impacts (high, medium, or low), dust, chemical handling accidents and UV light from welding equipment.

Apart from being effective, the equipment should also be comfortable and fit well. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should ideally be just that - personal, says Gary. If its comfortable to wear, theres a greater chance of compliance. As an employee, you should ask for help if you feel that your equipment isnt right for you. For example, if you wear glasses, your eye protection should fit over them, and if theres a chance of chemicals or debris entering your eyes from the sides, there shouldnt be any gaps.

The three steps towards reducing the chance of workplace injuries are the same regardless of the type of accidents that is being guarded against. Knowing where the risks are is the first step, the provision of adequate protective equipment is the next one, and compliance in using it closes the loop.

Your eyesight is too important to risk because you dont want to engage with workplace safety officers or simply dont feel like wearing your PEE, says Gary. Take the necessary steps, report problems, and be informed as to what to do in the event of an accident.

HEAR: Ultra106.5FM Interview with Gary Rodney Covid and Myopia: What you need to know!

For more information on eye injuries and impairments, and how they can be treated, or to make an appointment for a regular eye check, visit the Smart Vision website:Optometrists Sydney: Optometry Services For Children and Adults | Smart Vision; for specific information about Myopia treatment and prevention visitMyopia Prevention: Solutions, Control And Treatment In Sydney; and for detailed information about Myopia Treatment visitOrthokeratology In Sydney: The Non Surgical Alternative.

To book an appointment for a thorough eye check-up,click hereor Call the Bondi clinic on (02) 9365 5047 or the Mosman clinic on (02) 9969 1600.

Syndicated byBaxton Media,The Market Influencers,Your Digital Marketing Agency.

Read more here:
Sydney Optometrist Mosman Eye Injury Protection Vision Therapy Myopia Prevention - PRWire

Charenton-le-Pont and Paris, France (July 5, 2021 1:00 pm CEST) EssilorLuxottica and theFdration Internationale de lAutomobile (FIA) today announced the renewal of their partnership to raise awareness of the importance of regular eye checks for all road users and, more broadly, to promote good vision for safer roads. Together, EssilorLuxottica and the FIA will roll out a comprehensive plan mobilising public and private stakeholders, and leveraging both innovation and their global reach.

In August 2020, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/74/299, proclaiming 2021-2030 as a new Decade of Action for Road Safety, with the objective of halving the number of road victims by 2030. To achieve this goal, the United Nations (UN) issued a set of recommendations1, including a call for countries to implement appropriate, effective and evidence-based legislation on risk factors related to distracted or impaired driving. Adopting measures to ensure good vision for all road users is part of these recommendations. The UN also encouraged Member States to take measures to promote road safety knowledge and awareness among the population through education, training and advertising campaigns, especially among youth, and to share good road safety practice.

With 1.4 million people killed in road crashes and 50 million more seriously injured each year, safe mobility is a global priority and a key pillar to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since eyesight is a key element to make safe decisions and anticipate potential risks on the road, good vision is critical. It is part of the road safety culture and can help reduce any potential danger on the road. And even more so today, as the COVID-19 crisis has significantly accelerated the transformation of mobility, resulting in a boom of bikes, scooters and other forms of individual mobility joining cars on the road, reinforcing the need for good vision in all situations.

As part of their renewed three-year partnership within the new #PurposeDriven movement launched by the FIA, EssilorLuxottica and the FIA will continue to mobilise the general public, institutions, mobility players and eye care professionals, to address the UNs strong call for action. Together, they will roll out a wide range of initiatives focused on: reinforcing awareness campaigns and advocacy in the run-up to the 2022 UNGA dedicated to the road safety global plan of actions;accelerating innovation in the areas of eye exams, visual solutions and other road safety-related products such as helmets, leveraging racing expertise to apply it to the roads and scaling up access to visual equipment in close collaboration with FIA Member Clubs all over the world. This will include joint actions with the United Nations Road Safety Fund.

EssilorLuxottica will kick off this partnership with a global Action for good vision on the road campaign, calling upon all eye care professionals to play a key role in raising awareness and addressing the crucial and reinforced need for good vision in all conditions, day and night. As part of this partnership, the Company will also collaborate with FIA Member Clubs and engage its own extensive network of retail footprint in Italy, North America and Australia.

Vision is vital on the road. EssilorLuxotticas commitment for safer roads is part of our wider responsibility as the industry leader and our mission to help people see more, be more and live life to its fullest. Public awareness about the importance of good vision remains low while the need for access to suitable eyewear continues to grow. This issue concerns everyone low and middle-income countries as well as mature countries, from underserved communities to professional drivers. We are confident that together with the FIA, and with the support of public and private stakeholders across the globe, we will be able create a positive and meaningful impact as part of our plan, commented Francesco Milleri, CEO of EssilorLuxottica, and Paul du Saillant, Deputy CEO of EssilorLuxottica.

At the FIA, we are committed to improving global road safety, which includes the promotion of responsible driving. To do that, we need to build a comprehensive set of interventions, with a strong focus on prevention. Our renewed partnership with EssilorLuxottica will contribute to building a culture of safety by raising awareness on the importance of good vision for all road users, said Jean Todt, FIA President and UN Secretary-Generals Special Envoy for Road Safety.

Watch the official partnership video here.

CONTACTSHead of Investor Relations Head of Corporate CommunicationsGiorgio Iannella Marco Catalanie-mail: ir@essilorluxottica.com e-mail: media@essilorluxottica.com

More here:
EssilorLuxottica and the FIA reinforce their commitment to promote good vision for safer roads - GlobeNewswire

A blind man who received a gene from algae in one eye reaches for a notebook with the help of special goggles.

By Jocelyn KaiserMay. 24, 2021 , 12:20 PM

A blind man who received a gene for a light-sensing algal protein can now see and touch objects with the help of special goggles, researchers report today.

His vision gains are modesthe cannot see colors or discern faces or letters. But if the treatment helps other study participants, it may offer advantages over other vision technologies for severely blind people. And for neuroscientists, the result is a milestone: the first published report of using a relatively new technology called optogenetics to treat a disease in people.

Its not the kind of vision people dream of, but its a big step, says Jean Bennett of the University of Pennsylvania, who works on gene therapy for blindness but was not involved in the study.

Optogenetics uses light to control neurons. Scientists add the gene for a light-sensitive protein called an opsin from algae or bacteria and then shine a light on the cell to trigger the opsin to change shape, which switches the neurons activity on or off. Since it was developed nearly 20 years ago, optogenetics has mostly been used as a tool to study brain circuitry in animals. But researchers hope it can one day treat diseases such as Parkinsons and blindness.

The eye is the simplest place to start because it is small and easy to access, study co-leader Botond Roska, a physician-scientist at the University of Basel, said at a press conference last week.

The patients in the studya clinical trialhave an inherited disease called retinitis pigmentosa and have lost the retinal photoreceptor cells that use human opsins to turn light into electrical signals relayed to the brain. But their eyes still have the ganglion cells that route these signals to the brain via the optic nerve. That means the patients could potentially gain vision by giving these cells a microbial opsin.

The first volunteer was a 58-year-old French man who began going blind 40 years ago. When the experiment started, he could sense light but could not distinguish shapes. He received an injection in his worse eye of a harmless virus called an adeno-associated virus, which carried the gene for an opsin from algae. The researchers waited a few months for the ganglion cells in the patients eye to begin to produce the new protein. Then they began to train him to use special goggles that amplify incoming light from an image and focus it on the retina in the amber wavelength sensed by the opsin.

Within a few months, the man reported he could see the white stripes at a pedestrian crossing while walking outside wearing the goggles. He was very excited, although perhaps not as much as we were, study co-leader Jos-Alain Sahel, a physician-scientist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and the Vision Institute in Paris, said at the press conference.

Then the man started to pass lab tests: He could usually find and touch dark objects set on a white table, such as a notebook or box of staples, that he could not see without the goggles. And he could count up to three glass tumblers (see videos below). When the patient wore an electrode-studded cap that measures brain activity, the signals showed activity in the visual cortex, the part of the brain involved in seeing, the team reports today in Nature Medicine.

The man also told the researchers his daily life has improved. Wearing the goggles, he said, he can more easily find a plate or phone or detect furniture or a door.

The seven other patients treated so far in the trial havent been able to complete training with the goggles because of the coronavirus pandemic. Some are receiving higher doses of the viral vector that could help them see in more detail, as could tweaks to the goggles, the researchers saythough none of these improvements would allow for color vision.

Its fabulous that they got this to work in humans, says neuroscientist Pieter Roelfsema of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience. Right now, the only approved treatment for such patients is a device that sends signals from a camera mounted on a pair of glasses to electrodes implanted in the eye. It can improve light perception and allow some people to see shapes, but it requires surgery. Roelfsemas lab is developing a brain implant that has helped monkeys see letters, but it would be much more invasive than an eye injection, he notes.

The company that sponsored the trial, GenSight Biologics, isnt the only one working on optogenetics for blindness. RetroSense Therapeutics launched a trial 5 years ago but hasnt reported results. Another company, Bionic Sight, reported in March in a press release that four patients can now detect light and motion when looking into a device similar to a virtual reality set.

Read the original here:
Blind man regains some vision, with help from light-sensing algal protein - Science Magazine

A blind man who could only perceive the faintest bit of light can now perceive fuzzy shapes, thanks to gene therapy and a pair of specially engineered goggles.

The man was diagnosed with a condition called retinitis pigmentosa 40 years ago, at the age of 18, according to a new report, published Monday (May 24) in the journal Nature Medicine. People with retinitis pigmentosa carry faulty genes that, due to many mutations, cause the light-sensitive cells in the retina at the back of the eye to break down, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI).

These genes would usually code for functional proteins in the retina, but instead fail to build those proteins, or make abnormal proteins that malfunction or produce substances that directly damage the retinal tissue. The condition affects roughly 1 in 4,000 people worldwide, according to the NEI, and can sometimes lead to complete blindness, as occurred in the 58-year-old patient in the new study, BBC News reported.

Related: 12 amazing images in medicine

In an attempt to treat the man's vision loss, scientists inserted genes that code for a light-sensing protein into a modified virus, then injected those genetically tweaked viral vectors into one of his eyes, the researchers reported. The protein, called ChrimsonR, is a engineered version of a light-sensitive protein found in unicellular algae, which allows the single-celled organism to detect and move toward sunlight, MIT Technology Review reported.

ChrimsonR belongs to a family of light-sensitive proteins called channelrhodopsins, hence the added "H" in crimson, and has been modified to react to colors within the reddish end of the color spectrum, namely amber light. By injecting genes for ChrimsonR into the retina specifically into retinal ganglion cells, a kind of nerve cell that sends visual signals to the brain the team hoped to make these cells sensitive to yellow-orange light, MIT Technology Review reported.

Here's where the special goggles came in. The goggles pick up changes in light intensity from the environment and then translate that signal into an intense, amber image that gets projected straight onto the patient's retina, with the aim of activating ChrimsonR. Months passed before a significant quantity of ChrimsonR accumulated in the man's eye and began to alter his vision, but eventually, he began to perceive patterns of light with help from the goggles, BBC News reported.

"The patient perceived, located, counted and touched" different objects using his treated eye, alone, and while wearing the goggles, the researchers wrote in the study. For instance, the patient could perceive a notebook and cups placed on a table in front of him, although when asked to count the cups he did not always give the correct number, according to MIT Technology Review.

Prior to receiving the therapy, the man could not detect any objects, with or without the goggles on, and following the injection, he could only see while wearing the goggles, since they convert all light into an amber hue, the researchers reported.

In addition to the notebook and cups, the patient reported being able to see the painted white lines at a pedestrian crossing, the BBC reported. "This patient initially was a bit frustrated because it took a long time between the injection and the time he started to see something," first author Dr. Jos-Alain Sahel, an ophthalmologist and scientist at the University of Pittsburgh and Institute of Vision in Paris, told the BBC. The patient began training with the goggles about 4.5 months after his injection and only started reporting improvements in his vision about 7 months after that, the team reported.

"But when he started to report spontaneously he was able to see the white stripes to come across the street you can imagine he was very excited. We were all excited," Sahel told the BBC.

Even now, the man's vision still remains fairly limited, in that he can only see monochromatic images and at a fairly low resolution. But "the findings provide proof-of-concept that using optogenetic therapy to partially restore vision is possible," senior author Dr. Botond Roska, founding director of the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel at the University of Basel, told BBC News. ("Optogenetics" broadly describes the technique of using light and genetic modification to control the activity of neurons.)

Of course, although these initial results are exciting, the study is limited in that only one patient has received the treatment so far, James Bainbridge, a professor of retinal studies at the University College London who was not involved in the study, told the BBC.

Read more about the research in BBC News and MIT Technology Review.

Originally published on Live Science.

Excerpt from:
Genes from algae helped a blind man recover some of his vision - Livescience.com

(BPT) - As one of the worlds top paratriathletes, Amy Dixon is always looking forward. Even though an autoimmune disorder has taken away most of her ability to see, she has extraordinary vision for reaching her goals.

This summer, shell head to Tokyo. For Amy, its an incredible journey that would have seemed unimaginable two decades earlier.

Vision troubles come to light

Amy first noticed her vision problems as a 22-year-old college student. She struggled to see clearly in a darkened room. Driving at night, she failed to notice oncoming cars. The signs were clear that something was wrong with her eye health, but Amy wasnt convinced.

I had 20/20 vision as a kid, so I dismissed the problems I was having as being related to some other condition like migraine, says Amy, a migraine sufferer since she was a teen. I was ignoring what was obvious that something was wrong with my eyes.

After scheduling an appointment with an ophthalmologist, Amy learned she had uveitis, which is a form of inflammation inside the eye. Amys doctor told her that the disease had already put her eyesight in serious jeopardy. He said that 70% of her peripheral vision had been lost and she would need to begin treatment immediately or risk going blind within 10 years.

Unfortunately, I waited too long before having my eyes examined and uveitis had already attacked my vision. When the diagnosis sunk in, I thought I was destined to going blind, adds Amy.

Becoming her own advocate

Rallying behind a forward-looking attitude that would ultimately become her calling card, Amy confronted her condition head-on. Working with her doctor, she began an aggressive treatment regimen. While uveitis would eventually take 98% of her vision, the treatments succeeded in slowing down progression of the disease.

A new diagnosis and the athlete reemerges

With her uveitis in remission, Amy received a second vision diagnosis: she now had developed glaucoma as a result of her treatment. Resilient and determined to keep her life moving forward, Amy began treating her glaucoma.

Along the way, she reengaged in sports and took up swimming, a favorite activity for the former competitive high school swimmer. When a friend introduced her to triathlons (swimming, running and biking), Amy was hooked. She completed her first triathlon in 2013 and today, she is the reigning ITU Aquathlon World Champion and a seven-time ITU Triathlon Gold Medalist. When the competition in Tokyo starts in August, Amy will race toward the finish line the same way she approaches life: by overcoming the setbacks in her path. Its an important lesson she is eager to share.

There is always a way forward, says Amy. I encourage people to maximize the strengths they have and find creative ways to do the things they want. It may not be the way you wish for, but if you are open to learning, you can do great things.

Amys prescription for better eye health

Amy views her journey as a cautionary tale and she encourages everyone to be proactive in taking care of their eyes.

Uveitis progressed quickly in impacting my vision because I waited too long to see a doctor and wasnt diligent about getting my eyes examined annually, says Amy. Pay attention to your eyes. If you suspect you have a vision problem, then see an eye doctor right away.

As she continues to manage her glaucoma, Amy also urges people, particularly young adults, to be wary of a disease that can sneak up without symptoms and is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

A dilated eye exam could save your sight, says Amy. The power is in your hands, so be your own advocate for achieving better eye health.

If youve been diagnosed with glaucoma or are caring for someone with glaucoma, a great resource is Understanding and Living with Glaucoma. This free booklet is published by the Glaucoma Research Foundation, with support from Aerie Pharmaceuticals. It can be downloaded or ordered (in English and Spanish) at http://www.glaucoma.org/booklet.

Visit link:
Top paratriathlete carries the torch for healthy vision to Tokyo - liherald

The vision of a man who lost his sight because of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) has been partially restored with optogenetic therapy in the first reported case of functional recovery in a neurodegenerative disease following this novel treatment.

"It was breathtaking to witness the first recovery of some visual function in a blind patient," Botond Roska, MD, PhD, said in a news release.

"We have worked on optogenetic therapy in the lab for 16 years, and now seeing the proof of concept in a patient is a unique experience," added Roska, founding director of the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology, Basel, Switzerland, and co-founder of GenSight Biologics, the company developing the therapy.

The case was reported onlineMay 24 in Nature Medicine.

The 58-year-old man's blindness was caused by retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a neurodegenerative eye disease in which loss of photoreceptors can lead to complete blindness.

As part of the phase 1/2a PIONEER study, the patient received an intraocular injection of an adeno-associated viral vector encoding the optogenetic sensor ChrimsonR into one blind eye. The team also engineered light stimulation goggles outfitted with a camera that captures and projects visual images onto the retina.

Training with the goggles began nearly 5 months after the injection, thereby giving ChrimsonR expression time to stabilize in ganglion cells. Seven months later, the patient began to report signs of visual improvement.

"In this type of study, we are really learning from the patients themselves. They are really like experimentalists telling us what they are seeing with restored vision," lead investigator Jos-Alain Sahel, MD, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, said during a press briefing.

The patient was able to perceive, locate, count, and touch different objects using the vector-treated eye alone while wearing the goggles, the team reports. The patient could not visually detect any objects before injection with or without the goggles or after injection without the goggles.

The patient also reported significant improvements in his ability to conduct day-to-day activities, such as navigating in outdoor and indoor environments.

During visual perception, multichannel electroencephalographic recordings showed object-related activity above the visual cortex.

"So it was possible to show in this patient that visual behavior was correlated with brain activation corresponding to visual function," Rosko said.

A video of the patient performing the tests, which was submitted as supplementary material to Nature Medicine, can be viewed at http://www.gensight-biologics.com.

"This is a significant milestone, and undoubtedly further refinements will make optogenetic therapy a viable option for many patients in future," Robert MacLaren, MBChB, DPhil, professor of ophthalmology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom, said in a statement from the nonprofit UK Science Media Center.

Also weighing in, James Bainbridge, MBChB, PhD, professor of retinal studies, University College London, London, United Kindgom, said, "This exciting new technology might help people whose eyesight is very severely impaired. It is a high-quality study. It is carefully conducted and controlled.

"The findings are based on laboratory tests in just one individual. Further work will be needed to find out if the technology can be expected to provide useful vision," Bainbridge noted.

The study was funded by GenSight. Several authors have disclosed financial relationships with the company. MacLaren is a scientific advisor to NICE on retinal gene therapy. Bainbridge has disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Nat Med. Published online May 24, 2021. Full text

For more Medscape Neurology news, join us on Facebook and Twitter

Originally posted here:
A First: Blind Man's Sight Restored With Optogenetic Therapy - Medscape

Optogenics was used to partially restore a blind mans eyesight; the FDA could soon approve Modernas COVID-19 vaccine for use among adolescents; HHS calls for a new investigation into COVID-19s origins.

Light-catching proteins were grown in the eye of a blind man in France who, with the help of special goggles, can now see blurred outlines of objects, reports an article in Nature Medicine. This novel form of gene therapy is optogenics, and these results mark its first successful use against a neurodegenerative eye disease, which rob[s] the eyes of essential proteins required for vision. The treatment transforms ganglion cells into new photoreceptor cells, with the scientists also utilizing algae-derived proteins to sensitize nerve cells to light.

Hoping to gain approval for its COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, Moderna will submit effectiveness data to the FDA in June, reports The New York Times. Currently only available for persons 18 years and older, the new vaccine data comprise results from 3732 participants. Most notably, efficacy was shown to be 100%, following no reports of symptomatic COVID-19 in the two-thirds who received both doses. Pfizers vaccine was similarly approved for use among adolescents aged 12 to 15 years on May 10.

Following US intelligence reports that Chinese virology experts were seriously ill before cases of COVID-19 were ever reported in December 2019, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra is seeking a more transparent phase 2 investigation into the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Reuters. This new effort should again be headed by an international team, he added. Speaking for the World Health Organization (WHO), whose previous report on the pandemics origins was met with much criticism, spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic noted that the next step will be to present a proposal to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on studies that cover early detection of cases and clusters and food chain transmission, among others.

More:
What We're Reading: Restoring Eyesight; New Moderna Vaccine Indication Possible; COVID-19 Origin Investigation - AJMC.com Managed Markets Network

In late 2020, scientists at Trinity College Dublin found that gene therapy could successfully protect he visual function of mice who were treated with a chemical targeting the mitochondria and were consequently living with dysfunctional mitochondria. The scientists also found that their gene therapy improved mitochondrial performance in human cells that contained mutations in the OPA1 gene meaning that this could also work in humans, one day.

Professor Farrar, part of the OPA1 study, said at the time: It is important to highlight that there is still a long journey to complete from a research and development perspective before this therapeutic approach may one day be available as a treatment.

Yesterday (24 May), a journal article was published that documented the restoration of partial vision to a human being with blindness.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a progressive, inherited, monogenic or rarely digenicblinding disease caused by mutations in more than 71 different genes. It affects more than 2 million people worldwide. With the exception of a gene replacement therapy for one form of early-onset RP caused by mutation in the geneRPE65.

Currently,there is no approved therapy for RP.

The main subject of this study was a 58-year-old man who was diagnosed with Retinitis pigmentosa, 40 years ago. When he begun the experiment, he could sense light only if it was there or not.

The study is the first evidence that the injection of optogenetic sensor-expressing gene therapy vector (gene therapy) in combination with light-stimulating goggles, specially engineered to provoke the eye to see, can create a partial vision.

It took seven months after the beginning of visual training for the man to be able to perceive objects. The researchers say that this training meant teaching the patient to become aware of the direction of his gaze and to control his eye movements to be able to look straight into the light beam projected by the goggles.

The goggles projected light straight into the eye. But before this stage of light and glasses, an injection was given.

A specific type of virus can provoke the brain to build light-sensitive channels. The team gave this man a protein that is sensitive to amber light, using viruses to deliver the protein directly into the retina. This process is vaguely, loosely similar to how some vaccines work the good stuff is delivered via a virus, which then provokes the immune system to create a really useful response.

Botond Roska, an ophthalmologist at the University of Basel and a co-author of the new study, said: The brain has to learn a new language.

The team placed objects on a white table in front of him, and asked him to identify where they were. After visual improvement, it was still the larger objects that were more easy for him to locate.

The team will now begin building lighter, less cumbersome goggles and trying this process out on others to see how the results hold up. A freely available therapy for blindness is still distant, but it more partially visible than it ever was.

Read the full study here.

Editor's Recommended Articles

Read the original here:
Scientists successfully use gene therapy to restore eyesight restore eyesight, gene therapy - Open Access Government

Glaucoma. Cataracts. Blurry vision. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). Myopia. If not detected and treated early, these are vision problems in the elderly that could lead to partial or complete vision loss.

I understand how it feels because I was once in your shoes. My name is Mrs. Damilola, and for several years, I used to battle eye problems that made me had blurry, unclear and poor vision.

After trying several eye drops and glasses for over 3 years, I noticed that instead of improving, my eye condition had worsened.

After an eye exam, I was diagnosed with glaucoma in the right eye.

You see, when patients are diagnosed with glaucoma, one of the most common treatment options is a prescription eye drop medication that lowers eye pressure, which prevents damage to the optic nerve and helps to preserve vision.

Several types of drugs lower pressure.

The choice depends on a lot of factors, including the type of glaucoma, its severity, the pressure goals the doctor wants to reach, and the patients other medical problems.

For my own case, the doctors recommended eye drops, drugs and even eye surgery.

Eye surgery which was the best long term treatment was really expensive, and even comes with its own side effects after several months or years.

So, I decided to start using eye drops just so I could manage to see because at this point, I was literally going blind.

You see, the problem with eye drops is that most of them came with serious side effects, so one has to continue changing them until you see the most suitable one.

Sadly, within few months I used about 4 eye drops.

While for over the counter eye drugs, they take almost forever to work and give you perfect eye so you keep on spending and spending on the drugs for several years.

So, I decided to start searching for an alternative solution, something herbal that comes with no side effects and will naturally reverse glaucoma, cataracts, near-sightedness, and other severe eye problems.

But the entire situation changed when I came in contact with an old time friend, Uwem, he used to work in a particular eye clinic in Abuja .

We have been friends since our NYSC days for over 7years till date. Although, it has been a long time we spoke because he relocated to Canada to continue his profession.

We started talking as usual, and he asked me about my eye condition, if it has improved for better.

I explained how I was already tired of looking for solution to the eye problem, and how I have spent lots of money on drugs, supplements, eye drops and glasses, desperately looking for solution but without any improvement, insteadI was almost getting blind instead!

He explained that most people wearing eye glasses suffer from myopia (nearsightedness), glaucoma and cataract.

He later explained that there ispermanent cure for most of the eye problems, and natural remedy that helps treat and reverse glaucoma, cataract, myopia and other severe eye problems.

Most of these cases he has handled in the eye specialist clinic he works with in canada, and his patients improved their eyesight, and they never had to wear glasses or go for expensive eye surgery again.

But sadly, the solution is very rare to find because its imported, specially for Eye clinics in the USA, UK, Canada and some developing African countries as well.

That was when he introduced me to aspecial herbal teathat have been in existence for several years, that help cures severe eye problems, reverse cataract, glaucoma and myopia.

At first, I was shocked and surprised. But he told me the exact plant extracts contained inside the herbal tea, and how they improves overall eyesight health and restores vision.

I quickly pleaded with him to help me send a complete supply of the herbal tea. The next morning, I quickly sent the money to him.

After about a week, the complete supply of the herbal tea was delivered to me.

Immediately, I started it using it as prescribed (serving size of 1 tea bag in morning, and 1 tea bag in the evening).

To my surprise, in less than 2 weeks of using it, it was almost like a miracle cure to my eyesight problem and it helped improve my vision.

My eyes became crystal clear, my vision was never blurry again, and I started to feel that my glaucoma was gone.

To ensure it was really effective,I had to give the same herbal tea to about 2 of my colleagues in a different branch office, and some of my relatives using spectacles just to confirm if it could help them improve their eye health and cure eye problems.

Within 30 days or less of using it, all of them came back to testify that this herbal tea helped them improve their eyesight and cure eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, near-sightedness, hyperopia, and blurry vision, and they didnt have to continue wearing glasses anymore.

To ensure that this solution really works, I went to my eye doctor, just to be completely sure be about it.

After several eye exams, he confirmed that my eye was much better than before, and that the herbal tea also contained some ingredients that are very rare to find, but are highly effective in improving eyesight naturally.

Without wasting time, let me introduce you to the Herbal Remedy that Has Helped me and over 642 Nigerian men and women Improve Eyesight, vision and PROVEN to cure Severe Eye Problems

Eye Restore Tea

Eye Restore Teais a herbal remedy formulated to treat and permanently cure all kinds of eye problems such as glaucoma, myopia, hyperopia, cataracts and lot more

It helps restore your eyesight, promotes eye health and improves vision.

Eye Restore Tea is made up of finely blended plant herbal extractssuch as bilberry extract, chrysanthemum, chinese wolfberry, cassia seed and green tea.

A pack of eye restore tea contains 20 tea bags, which you use daily, morning and evening.

The best part is that the Eye Restore tea is purely herbal, comes without any side effect and curative for the treatment of most eye problems. And within few days of taking this herbal tea, you can start seeing improvement in your vision and eye health.

Eye Restore Tea has the highest standard of approval by International FDA bodies. Its produced in the best, biggest and professional tea manufacturing factory withcertificate of GMP Good Manufacturing Practice, HACCP, Food Production License, QS etc.

So you can be sure that, Eye Restore Tea is Safe, 100% Herbal and Healthy, No Side Effects.

Do you want to dump your glasses, and also put an end to using expensive eye drugs that takes almost forever to work?

Then pay attention to this.

Eye Restore Teais made of herbal extracts, that after several years of research, scientist prove that these herbs help eliminate any form of eye problems, gives a crystal clear eye, improves eye sight and vision naturally.

Heres how this special herbal tea works

When you order for the Eye Restore Tea, each pack contains 20 tea bags. Put 1 tea bag in the cup, add boiled water, you can add honey or lemon (depending on your taste). Drink the tea in the morning when you wake up, and in the night before bed.

Within 3 weeks or less, I can guarantee that it will cure whatever eyesight problem you are experiecing at the moment. It will improve and perfect your eyesight, you will be able to read better anytime of the day. It will help you see comfortably without your glasses.

THATS how powerful it is.

Right now, my eyes are crystal clear, no more blurry vision, I see clearly without my eye glasses, glaucoma has gone, and no more cataracts.

And after this worked for me, Ive gone to share this amazing eye restore secret with almost everyone (family, friends and collegues) that I know that uses spectacles, or have severe eye problems for many years.

And once they started using Eye Restore Tea, they experienced similar results, their joy knew no bounds and they were able to dump their glasses, save money on expensive drugs and eye drops.

While it has also helped them to have a much improved vision, eyesight and totally natural cure to glaucoma, cataracts, myopia, hyperopia, eyestrain and other eye problems.

And to Prove It, Here Are What People Who Have Used theEye Restore Tea Are Saying About it, and How TheyveSeen Great Results Using it

For over 3 years of having glaucoma in my right eye, Ive been eye drops that my eye doctors prescribed. After using it for a long time, I noticed that the eye was becoming useless, and I only had my left eye for all purpose.

Until I came accross Eye restore tea, I decided to use it instead. Within few weeks, I began to see better. I went to the Eye center, and after the examination doctor say that my eye has improved and the IOP has dropped.Thanks so much for this wonderful solution that saved my eyes

James Gwarimpa, Abuja=================

I suffered from Glaucoma for about 2 years now, and I had to use eye drops to control it. But the eye drops have serious side effects that made me uncomfortable so I had to keep changing them and used 5 types of eye drop.

Luckily, a friend introduced me to Eye restore tea, so I decided to give it a trial. My vision now have improved up to the extent that I no longer need spectacles or any eye drop again.

Mrs. Tolulope Ketu, Lagos===============

Immediately after my cataract sugery, I used to have a foggy or cloudy vision and colors are not vivid as they were. I got corrective sight vision lens, and after many months I still get this blurry vision sometimes which is frustrating.

My wife helped me order for the Eye Restore tea, and I decided to use it, within 6weeks, my eyesight is clear and has corrected itself with time. Ive gone on to recommend this for my elder brother with similar eye problems. Thanks so much for this miracle tea

Mr. Victor Onitsha, Anambra

============

After seeing an opthalmologist for an eye exam, it was revealed an eye pressure of 25 in both eyes, and my right eyes looked suspicious for glaucoma. I continued using eye drops.

I stumbled upon your eye restore tea product, and decided to go for it. Within few weeks of using the tea, am seeing obvious changes, and finally stopped using eye drops. i will keep you updated on my progress, really appreciate this!

Olawale warri, Delta

Truth is, I could load more and more testimonials from these people who have used the Eye Restore tea but it will only be saying the same thing this product works like crazy!

As you have seen, these people were once like you suffering form similar eye conditions that were a threat to their vision, but they took action got the Eye Restore tea and cured severe eye problems.

As we speak lots of people are raving about this natural miracle eye treatment solution. I wonder what happens when people begin to post experiences and testimonials on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.)

Customers will continue telling friends, and the news keeps on spreading like wildfire.

By word of mouth, theres so much huge demand, supplies are going off the shelf fast even my colleagues and inner circle friends picked up 143 packs of the Eye Restore Herbal tea.

So, there are just 257 packs remaining.

The miracle eye treatment solution is spreading like wildfire and demand is so heavy much of the stocks are running out fast.

Right now, thousand of people are on this website and stocks are extremely limited.

We have no idea when the next stocks will arrive, so get your supplies now while you can.

The best part is, you can get it at an affordable discount price when you place order right away.

I cannot assure you will get it at the same discount price if you procrastinate.

SO WHATS IT COST?

Let me ask you whats something like this worth?

What would it be worth to be able to see clearly again, without spending lots of money on presciption pills, eye drops or expensive surgery?

What would it be worth to improve all aspects of your vision using a natural solution that completely reverses glaucoma, cataract, shortsightedness and other eye problems?

A natural solution that makes you never scared again about having dry itchy eyes, blurred vision, or even worse going blind.

So that, you will be able to enjoy your eyes, watch tv, read newspapers, reports, documents without depending on your glasses ever again.

Eye restore tea, is like giving you a brand new set of perfect eyeballs faster, more safer, and more easily.

What would that be worth?

You see, you wont pay a lot for this miracle herbal tea.

And if you go ahead and get it now, you will enjoy

=> the discount introductory price

=> 100% FREE Shipping to every state in Nigeria

=> Payment at the point of delivery (or at your DOORSTEP)

This means you will pay for the products only when it has been brought down to you face to face by our courier company or delivery man.

Heres a breakdown of the price (depending on the supply you are ordering for)

Eye Restore Tea 1 Month Supply3 packs (60 tea bags)

]

Discount Price = N24,000

Read the original post:
62year old Lagos woman Reveals Eye treatment Remedy that Reverses Glaucoma, Cataracts and Improves Vision without surgery or eyedrops - Vanguard

One of the studys researchers demonstrating the set-up used to confirm the success of the gene therapy treatment, including the use of specialized goggles seen above. Image: Sahel, et al., Nature Medicine

Researchers say their experimental gene therapy was able to partially restore a mans eyesight 40 years after he lost most of his vision. The findings are exciting, but the authors of the new study caution that more research will be needed to confirm the effectiveness of this treatment.

Gene therapy has emerged as a promising approach for largely incurable ailments that are often caused by defective genetic mutations. It can include editing the genes of cells collected from the body in the lab, then putting them back in (CAR T-cell therapy for cancer is one example of this) or editing cells inside the body directly, also known as in vivo gene therapy. In 2017, the very first in vivo gene therapy was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. The treatment, called Luxterna, helps prevent people with inherited retinal dystrophy, a rare genetic disorder, from losing their vision completely.

Luxterna is only helpful for people with a form of retinal dystrophy caused by a specific mutation, though, and only before they completely lose their functional retinal cells, which usually happens before adulthood. So scientists have been trying to develop other kinds of gene therapy that can broadly help people with these retinal disorders, no matter the mutation causing it and long after its onset. One approach being tested now relies on something called optogenetics. The idea is to edit nerve cells collected from a patient so that they respond to light in a particular way, which should then essentially turn these cells into a version of the photosensitive cells normally found in the retina that allow us to see.

Researchers in Europe and the U.S. have been working on one of these therapies as part of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial called PIONEER. Like other gene therapies, this treatment uses a neutered adenovirus to deliver its payload to cells: genetic code that allows cells in the retina to produce a protein called ChrimsonR that responds to amber light. They then use specialized goggles to collect information from the outside world and turn that information into pulses of amber light. The hope was that these pulses would then allow the gene-edited retina, and by extension the brain, to perceive visual information the way people with undamaged retinas canthus restoring sight.

In a paper published Monday in Nature Medicine, the team detailed the case of a 58-year-old patient involved in the trial, who regained eyesight following treatment, albeit with some caveats.

G/O Media may get a commission

The patient, who did retain an ability to perceive light even with his disorder, was given the treatment in one eye. In that eye, and while wearing the goggles, he became able to see nearby objects, to the point where he could reliably tell multiple objects apart from one another and reach out to touch themsomething he couldnt do before. ECG readings also showed brain activity in the man linked to vision. Whats more, these improvements remained even five months after the initial treatment.

The mans restored vision was only possible while wearing the goggles, and the vision he did gain back was blurry and limited in range. But according to the authors, this is the first evidence in humans to definitively demonstrate that the therapy has potential to someday treat this rare but life-altering form of blindness.

In this study, we present the first evidence that injection of an optogenetic sensor-expressing gene therapy vector combined with the wearing of light-stimulating goggles can partially restore visual function in a patient, they wrote.

Other researchers are developing treatments for blindness using optogenetics, some with different approaches than the amber light translating goggles used in this study. Time will have to tell whether any of this research will ultimately pan out.But for now, hopes are high for good reason.

Read this article:
Man Blinded for 40 Years Has Sight Partially Restored Using Gene Therapy - Gizmodo