Blindness is loss or absence of the ability to perceive visual images. The condition of a person having less than 1/10 (20/200 on the Snellen test) normal vision. Blindness may be caused by injury, by lesions of the brain or optic nerve, by disease of the cornea or retina, by pathological changes originating in systemic disorders (e.g., diabetes) and by cataract, glaucoma, or retinal detachment. Blindness caused by infectious diseases, such as trachoma, and by dietary deficiencies is common in underdeveloped countries where medical care is inadequate.
FDA warns against ‘illegal’ colored contact lenses for Halloween – Decorative and colored contact lenses are extremely popular during Halloween as they enhance the costume. But, be aware that these lenses carry a significant health risk. U.S. Food and Drug Administration is discouraging consumers from using decorative contact lenses.
US FDA approves three new drug treatments for type 2 diabetes – Nesina, Kazano, and Oseni – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved three new related products for use with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes: Nesina (alogliptin) tablets, Kazano (alogliptin and metformin hydrochloride) tablets, and Oseni (alogliptin and pioglitazone) tablets.
Smoking may lead to cataracts in aging population – Cigarette smoking is a well-known risk factor for a wide-range of diseases. Now, scientists have evidence that smoking may also increase the risk of age-related cataract, the leading cause of blindness and vision loss in the world.
Computer analysis of EEG patterns suggests a potential diagnostic test for autism — Largest, most unbiased analysis to date finds distinguishing EEG features – Widely available EEG testing can distinguish children with autism from neurotypical children as early as age 2, finds a study from Boston Children’s Hospital. The study investigated EEGs as a potential diagnostic tool for autism, and offers hope for an earlier, more definitive test.
Trinity researchers report major eye disease breakthrough — Controlling an inflammatory component IL-18 in age-related macular degeneration could prevent the development of the disease – Scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that a part of the immune system called the inflammasome is involved in regulating the development of one of the most common forms of blindness, called Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
Regeneron Announces FDA Approval of EYLEA? (Aflibercept) Injection for the Treatment of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Eylea (aflibercept) to treat patients with wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss and blindness in Americans ages 60 and older.
Vitamin A supplements for children could save 600,000 lives a year – Researchers have strongly recommended vitamin A supplementation for children under 5 in areas at risk of vitamin A deficiency. Children in low and middle income countries should be given vitamin A supplements to prevent death and illness, concludes a study published on bmj.com today.
Vitamin D levels associated with age-related macular degeneration – Women under the age of 75 with high vitamin D status were less likely to have early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults, a University at Buffalo study has shown.
Study Evaluates Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the United States – An estimated 6.5 percent of Americans age 40 and older have the eye disease age related macular degeneration, a lower rate than was reported 15 years ago, according to a report in the Archives of Ophthalmology.
Advanced Cell Technology Receives FDA Clearance For the First Clinical Trial Using Embryonic Stem Cells to Treat Macular Degeneration — FDA Lifts Clinical Hold; Company to Commence a Phase I/II Clinical Trial at Multiple Centers – Advanced Cell Technology, Inc. (“ACT”; OTCBB:ACTC) announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Company’s Investigational New Drug (IND) application to immediately initiate a Phase I/II multicenter clinical trial using retinal cells derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) to treat patients with Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy (SMD), one of the most common forms of juvenile macular degeneration in the world.
