Researchers at Australia’s Vision Centre have announced that treatment with near-infrared (NIR) light can prevent the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Using animal models that mimic the disease, Vision Centre researchers report that shining gentle near-infrared light (NIR) at 670 nanometres (nm) is a potential treatment that is less invasive, inexpensive and less risky […]
WASHINGTON, DC – Leaders from the Senate and House committees overseeing health policy today announced that they have reached an agreement on legislation to help ensure the safety of compounded drugs and our nation’s pharmaceutical supply chain. This legislation, the Drug Quality and Security Act, reflects a bipartisan, bicameral effort to improve drug safety and […]
by Liz Trauernicht, Director MD Foundation A significant amount of evidence finds that very bright light, especially blue light, can damage the macula. Traditional slit lamp devices used during eye exams produce high light levels, which may be problematic for people with macular degeneration. Before these devices can be used effectively, the pupil of the […]
Information from the National Eye Institute Researchers with the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) reported in 2001 that a nutritional supplement called the AREDS formulation can reduce the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The original AREDS formulation contains vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc and copper. In 2006, the same research group, […]
Talking Books is a service of the National Library Service (NLS), Library of Congress. People who are certified as legally blind, or otherwise unable to comfortably read print, may access over 50,000 titles in audio format at no cost. Until now, participants have been sent audio materials on tape, playable on special machines provided by […]
Statin drugs are known to reduce cholesterol, which benefits the retina. The medications may, however, also increase the risk of cataracts, according to a report published September 19, 2013 in the Journal of the American Medical Association. An analysis of 6,972 subjects showed that those taking the medication had a 9% higher risk of cataract […]
Voters Expect to Be Informed If They Are Prescribed A Drug Not Approved By the FDA WASHINGTON – As Congress considers legislation to address the oversight of compounding pharmacies, a new, independent survey released today highlights the large gap between voters’ expectations that the medications they receive are FDA-approved and loopholes in federal law that […]
By Elle Aldridge Freelance writer and Security & Safety Expert Securitycompanies.com Over the past century, improvements to optical health — specifically blindness, macular degeneration (MD) and other disorders — have evolved tremendously. From public initiatives to medical procedures, advances have come a long way. One option for those who suffer from macular degeneration and other […]
Researchers report that a change in the C3 gene, which plays a role in inflammation and in the body’s immune response, also contributes to macular degeneration. After sequencing DNA from 10 regions of the genome that had been previously linked to AMD in previous genetic studies, the researchers turned up two gene variants: one in the […]
Stem Cells (STEM) has announced the first patient to receive a high dose of one million purified human neural stem cells (HuCNS-SC®) in their Phase 1/2 clinical trial. This followed an independent review by the Data Safety Monitoring Committee, which found no safety issues with proceeding to the high dose. The 16-patient trial is designed to evaluate the […]