AHAF Funds AMD Research

The American Health Assistance Foundation funds research into Macular Degenration, its causes and possible cure.

Read about the current  research projects AHAF is underwriting.

http://www.ahaf.org/research/grants/mdrcurrentawards.html

Watch a video on AMD by AHAF Vice President, Dr. Guy Eakin.

http://www.ahaf.org/macular/resources/audiovideo.html

Stargazing Science Used to See Inside the Human Eye

A technique originally developed to see distant stars now allows researchers to diagnose eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration months to years sooner than possible with other current methods.

When ophthalmologists and vision scientists try to look deep into our eyes, distortions within the cornea and lens impair light as it travels through the eyeball, frustrating their efforts. Lately, a growing group of vision scientists have turned to a solution pioneered by astronomers—adaptive optics, originally developed by the military and used by astronomers such as Scot Olivier at California’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory to produce clear images of faraway stars. Applied to looking into the human eye, the technique allows researchers to view minute details never before seen and to diagnose blinding disease like macular degeneration months to years before current methods allow.

Read more: Stargazing Science Used to See Inside the Human Eye – Popular Mechanics

Monash Vision to develop Direct to Brain Bionic Eye

The Monash Vision direct to brain bionic eye system will combine state of the art digital and biomedical technology with consumer-friendly glasses.

A digital camera embedded in the glasses will capture images. As your head turns, the glasses, of course, turn with you. Cutting edge digital processors will modify the images captured by the camera; a wireless transmitter will then present the image that you are “looking at” to a chip that has been implanted at the back of the brain. The chip will then directly stimulate the visual cortex of the brain with electrical signals using an array of micro-sized electrodes -the brain will learn to interpret these signals as sight.

Goal: first implants by 2014.

For more info:

http://www.monash.edu.au/bioniceye/technology%20ORIGINAL.html

http://www2.electronicproducts.com/Group_to_test_direct_to_brain_bionic_eye_on_human_patients-article-fajb_bionic_eye_may2012-html.aspx

LVATUG Goes World Wide

When we first created this blog, it was to serve the Low Vision community of the North Carolina Triangle area. Thanks to the Internet and WordPress, we have reached the entire world. Here is a list of countries that have viewed us so far.

United States

India

Canada

United Kingdom

Turkey

Australia

Russian Federation

Czech Republic

Germany

Ireland

Thailand

Trinidad and Tobago

Saudi Arabia

Serbia

Iraq

Singapore

Hong Kong

Israel

Brazil

Italy

Hungary

Romania

France

Morocco

South Africa

Indonesia

Belgium

Spain

Pakistan

Switzerland

Guatemala

Egypt

News from the NFB and the FFB

This post is from Lauren Tappan:

• The FFB, Foundation for Fighting Blindness, will have their Vision 2012 Conference at Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis from June 28 to July 1.
• The NFB, National Federation for the Blind, will have their National Convention in Dallas, June 31 to July 5.  NFB will have their NC state convention at Camp Dogwood.
• The Governor Moorhead School for The Blind in Raleigh is closing. A blind residential program will remain. This Blind Residential program will be a satellite of Wilson Deaf School. http://www.encsd.net/
• There is now an effort to merge the commission for the blind into a super social services division and NFB is hoping this will not happen.

If you would like to have more information in regards to NFB or any of the above, contact Gary Ray at 828-505-0299.

Breakthrough in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

In what could potentially lead to a novel therapy for one of the common forms of blindness, scientists at Trinity College Dublin have discovered that a part of the immune system called the infllamosome is involved in regulating the development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD). They have discovered that by controlling an inflammatory component IL-18, in cases of AMD could prevent the development of the disease.

The scientists at Trinity, Dr Sarah Doyle and Dr. Mathew Campbell have discovered that drusen can lead to two inflammatory components named IL- 1beta and IL-18.

“Traditionally, inflammation in the retina or indeed the eye in general is not beneficial and is a pathological hallmark of many eye diseases, including AMD. However we have identified, that one inflammatory component termed IL-18 acts as a so-called anti-angiogenic factor, preventing the progression of wet AMD” said Dr. Campbell.

The results of the study indicate that by controlling the levels of IL-18, in the patients with the dry form of the disease could prevent the development of the wet form of the disease. Dr Doyle is positive that this research could pave way for new treatments for this disease.

US has about 1.8 million 40 years or older that are affected by AMD and an additional 7.3 million with large drusen are at risk of developing AMD. By 2020, US will have about 2.90 million people with AMD.

The research was published in the international medical journal Nature Medicine.

More Info:

http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120410/9474/blindness-age-related-macular-degeneration-amd-therapy.htm

http://topnews.us/content/247576-drug-prevent-advance-age-related-macular-degeneration

 

Are You at Risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration?

The Journal of American Ophthalmology explains the risk factors for Macular Degeneration.

Knowing the risk factors, being aware of family history, and keeping regular appointments with an Eye M.D. can help reduce the risks for vision loss from macular degeneration. In its most severe form, known as wet AMD, the disease can lead to permanent loss of central vision which is essential for driving, reading, and recognizing faces.

“The past few years have been marked by significant improvement in understanding the causes and the treatment of AMD,” says George Williams, MD, an AMD expert. “New research and clinical advances are helping us to better treat both the ‘dry’ AMD and ‘wet’ forms of AMD. One strong risk factor that people may not be aware of is family history. It’s important to find out whether your relatives have had AMD, and to tell your Eye M.D., if you have a history of AMD in your family. Knowing your risks can save your sight.”

Here are the top 5 risk factors for AMD:

• Being over the age of 60
• Having a family history of AMD
• Cigarette smoking
• Obesity
• Hypertension

People with any two of these risk factors should schedule an appointment for a complete evaluation with an Eye M.D., who may recommend certain preventive measures which can reduce the risk of vision loss from this disorder.

For more info:  http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/eye-health-news/top-5-risks-for-amd.cfm

 

RFB&D is now Learning Ally!

This entry is posted by Lauren Tappan:

Learning Ally, formerly Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic^®, a nonprofit volunteer organization, is the nation’s largest educational lending-library serving people who cannot effectively read standard print because of visual impairment, dyslexia or other physical disability.

Memberships cost $99 per year.

http://www.learningally.org/Training-Support/Frequently-Asked-Questions/About-Learning-Ally/47/

You should also check out the free NC Library for the Blind.

http://statelibrary.ncdcr.gov/lbph/

The NCLBPH offers a wide range of books and magazines. The same book and magazine titles found most other public libraries are available for loan. Materials are in large print, braille, or audio formats. The audio materials are either cassette tapes or digital cartridges. Patrons may read one or more formats of their choice. The cassette tapes are recorded at slower speed than commercially available tapes. Thus, the library also loans specially designed cassette players to patrons who request tape service. Special accessories for the cassette players, such as remote controls, breathe switches, and extension levers, are available to those who need them to use the players. Amplifiers are also available; however, require a separate application signed by a doctor that goes to the National Library Service to be filled. The NCLBPH repairs, at no cost, the tape and digital machines loaned to patrons. A toll-free telephone line for use throughout North Carolina is also offered for book requests, quick service and to answer any questions you might have about the service (1-888-388-2460). The Friends of the NCLBPH’s library newsletter,Tar Heel Talk, is provided quarterly to patrons and is available in all formats.

 

Eylea approved to treat wet age-related macular degeneration

Eylea (aflibercept)has been approved by the FDA 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 by gradually destroys a person’s sharp, central vision. It affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows people to see fine detail needed to do daily tasks such as reading and driving, as well as being able to read or recognize people’s faces.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Eylea approved to treat wet age-related macular degeneration – Hartford wellness | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/wellness-in-hartford/eylea-approved-to-treat-wet-age-related-macular-degeneration#ixzz1fi2V8QxC

Study Shows Zeaxanthin Improves Vision in Elderly

The Zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and Visual Function Study (ZVF), conducted by eye nutrition pioneer Stuart Richer, PhD, OD at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Chicago, shows scientific evidence that dietary Zeaxanthin improved vision in night driving and fine detail, among others.
The ZVF Study followed 60 elderly veterans with early Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) over a 12-month period that consumed 8 mg of dietary Zeaxanthin daily, showed improvement in the ability to drive at night, recognition of fine detail – an average improvement of 1.5 lines or 8.5 letters on an eye chart, and the disappearance of blind spots.

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/11/10/4044530/study-shows-zeaxanthin-improves.html#ixzz1dn2MQYyF