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Archive for the ‘Technology’ Category

Stem Cell Research and Vision Disorder Treatment

Tuesday, November 15th, 2011

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Newly Developed Implant Treats Macular Edema

Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

Five out of every 1000 people over the age of thirty will suffer from some form of RVO (retinal vein occlusion). In RVO, the retinal vein becomes blocked (occluded), causing fluid to build up in the retina and the macula to swell and thicken. This thickening, called macular edema, can cause severe vision loss.

Because of the swelling in their eyes, people with macular edema have trouble with everyday activities like reading, watching TV, and driving. People with RVO have many direct medical costs from this condition, but they also have indirect costs such as loss of income. Previously, procedures such as surgery and laser photocoagulation have been used to treat RVO and macular edema, but these are not always effective.

There is good news, however. Allergan, Inc., a company devoted to developing pharmaceuticals for commercial use, has released a product called Ozurdex which has been clinically proven to treat RVO. Ozurdex is a tiny rod-shaped implant which doctors inject directly into the eye. The rod dissolves and releases dexamethasone, a steroid that reduces inflammation in the eye.

When compared with a placebo, Ozurdex significantly improved patients’ vision and reduced swelling. Research shows that after 8 weeks, 43% of the people who received Ozurdex had vision improvement of at least three lines on an eye chart, and 47% were considered inflammation free.

Ozurdex will help many people suffering from RVO, as well as those affected by diabetic retinopathy, a similar disorder common in diabetic patients. If you have been diagnosed with RVO or diabetic retinopathy, please contact an ophthalmologist near you to discuss your treatment options and to set up an initial consultation today.

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Exciting New Product Developed for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Wednesday, May 25th, 2011

Exciting New Product Developed for the Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease affecting millions of Americans, and is the leading cause of blindness in Americans and Europeans over the age of 65. As the eye ages, abnormal blood vessels grow behind the retina and leak blood and fluid, causing the retina to malfunction, which leads to blindness. Previously there were no treatments to reverse the damaging effects of this disease. Now, however, a new technology developed by pharmaceutical company Regeneron promises to provide hope to all those suffering with AMD.

Regeneron partnered with Bayer HealthCare to develop and commercialize a product called VEGF Trap-Eye and began testing the product’s effectiveness in 2007. Despite the slightly lethal-sounding name, VEGF Trap-Eye has proven itself to work wonders in tests, improving visual acuity in the majority of people who received the product.

What Is VEGF Trap-Eye?

VEGF Trap-Eye is a man-made protein designed to fuse to natural proteins in the human body. It has been engineered to bind to VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) which is one of the proteins involved in AMD. VEGF naturally occurs in the body and is needed to support tissue and organ growth by triggering the growth of blood vessels. However, this is the protein that causes those harmful blood vessels to grow behind the retina. When VEGF Trap-Eye binds to this protein, it renders it unable to create any new blood cells, preventing AMD.

Now We Wait

Though tests have affirmed VEGF Trap-Eye’s success with treating AMD and other conditions that affect the retina, such as central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO), Regeneron is awaiting a meeting with the FDA’s Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee on June 17, 2011 to see whether they can begin marketing this product in the U.S. If the FDA gives the okay, the millions suffering from AMD and other eye problems may find relief at last.

If you have more questions about age-related macular degeneration or treatment options, contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.

Tags: Macular Degeneration
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Features to Look for in Protective Sports Eye Wear

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

For people who play sports, protective sports eye wear is becoming an essential part of the uniform. Enhancing eye safety and reducing sun glare is important in the United States since more than 40 thousand people are treated each year for sports related eye injuries. However, not all sports goggles are ideally designed for every sport.

When selecting a sports goggle, you will want to find a pair that:

Comfortably fits your head
Provides full protection for your sport
Is made out of high quality plastic
Can fit inside of a helmet, if necessary

Your eye doctor will be able to take the sports goggles you choose and fit them to your face. Ensuring a snug fit reduces instances of slippage, and helps provide for ultimate eye safety.

You can visit a sporting goods store for sports goggles, but it is important to remember that only an experienced ophthalmologist will be able to properly fit your goggles for your needs. Additionally, your eye doctor can fit your frames with your prescription, and has access to the highest quality, scratch and impact resistant materials on the market. You may save a few dollars up front by purchasing your sports goggles from a sporting goods store, but only your eye doctor can provide you with ultimate protection and durability.

If you are interested in learning more about protective sports eye wear, please locate an experienced ophthalmologist in your area to schedule an appointment.

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Protective Sports Eye Wear

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

In nearly every modern day sport, the popularity of protective sports eye wear is growing. Much of the popularity has to do with trendy new styles, adding individual flair to a team uniform, but equally important is the enhanced safety sports goggles provide.

In the United States each year, over 40,000 athletes are seen in hospital emergency rooms due to sports related eye injuries. Athletes take time to ensure they are protecting their bodies against injury, but only recently has an increased awareness of eye safety been duly acknowledged. Debris, errant balls, fingers, elbows, and feet can make contact with your eye in any number of sports, and having protection between your and eyes and these objects protects you from irritation, discomfort, and even vision difficulties.

Protective sports eye wear is made from a scratch resistant, incredibly strong plastic. The frames can be fitted with prescription or nonprescription lenses, and serve not only to protect your eyes, but to cut down on glare and reduce sun damage. With enhanced safety and increased vision, it’s no wonder protective sports eye wear can now be seen on both professional and hobby athletes.

Talking to your eye doctor about the type of sports you play will allow him to fit you with a pair of sports goggles that are ideally suited to your athletic activities. With a wide variety of designs and styles, your ophthalmologist can fit you with protective sports eye wear that will keep your eyes safe while allowing you to express your unique individuality.

If you are an athlete and interested in protective sports eye wear, please locate an experienced ophthalmologist in your area to schedule a fitting appointment.

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Light-Sensing Chip Offers Limited Sight to Blind

Thursday, October 14th, 2010

Retinitis pigmentosa is a relatively rare genetically inherited eye condition in which cells in the eye’s retina, called photoreceptors, lose function and die off progressively from the periphery of the retina toward the middle. The result is gradual loss of vision, beginning with night-blindness and leading to the loss of peripheral vision (tunnel vision) and eventually total blindness.

The pace of this progressive eye disease varies widely among those afflicted, and retinitis pigmentosa is not treatable with laser vision correction or other common types of eye surgery.

Currently, there is no known treatment that significantly slows or stops the progression of retinitis pigmentosa, but progress is being made in restoring some limited sight to those who have become completely blind due to the condition. In a recent clinical trial, eleven patients with retinitis pigmentosa had sophisticated microchips implanted in their retinas. The Retinal Implant chip contains 1,500 light-sensing diodes and is inserted directly behind the retina where it transmits seven image flashes per second via electrical impulses to the dysfunctional retinal cells.

The chip is not capable of delivering detailed visual information to the brain, but subjects were able to pass some visual tests without major adverse effects from the implants. In the tests, the retinal implant recipients were asked to describe fruits by shape, identify large block letters, squares with different shades of gray, and identify faces.

One patient successfully passed all five visual tests, while others had less impressive results. Eyeglasses seemed to improve the implant recipients’ visual acuity.

I learn more about retinitis pigmentosa and other eye diseases and conditions, please visit eyes.com or find an ophthalmologist in your area.

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Biosynthetic Corneas Help Restore Vision

Thursday, October 7th, 2010

A clinical trial of biosynthetic corneas conducted by Dr. Per Fagerholm of Linkoping University in Sweden and Dr. May Griffith of the University of Ottowa’s Ottowa Hospital Research Institute has produced very encouraging results. Dr. Griffith has been working with her colleagues for over a decade to produce a viable biosynthetic cornea suitable for implantation in humans. Collaborating with Dr. Fagerholm, she began a clinical trial two years ago of this first-ever biosynthetic corneal implant in humans.

For two years, Drs. Griffith and Fagerholm closely followed the progress of the 10 patients who received the biosynthetic corneas. Now, they have found that the patients’ cells and nerves had successfully integrated with the biosynthetic implant. The regenerated corneas act like healthy, natural ones, even becoming touch-sensitive and producing tears normally.

This study is the first so far to demonstrate that an artificial cornea can successfully be integrated with the eye tissue and produce a regenerative effect. With millions of patients worldwide waiting for a human cornea transplant, the potential of this technological innovation is clearly impressive.

The patients in this clinical trial had advanced keratoconus (conical cornea) or scarring of the central cornea. With further advancements in the biosynthetic material and the surgical implantation technique, Drs. Fagerholm and Griffith hope to establish the effectiveness of biosynthetic corneas for treating a broader range of eye diseases and conditions that usually require a corneal transplant.

To learn more about cornea transplants and other eye surgery procedures, please visit eyes.com or find an ophthalmologist in your area.

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