It may first appear that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and Alzheimer Disease (AD) are pathologically related. “The conditions may share environmental risk factors and histopathologic features”, say researchers from Oxford and Manchester Universities, but “considering AD and other dementia after AMD, their coexistence at the individual level is no different from that expected by chance.” [Read More]
Category: Latest News
New Retinal Prosthesis Under Development
A newly-developed retinal implant may soon be available for people with central vision loss from macular degeneration and similar diseases. The device is similar to the recently-approved Argus II prosthesis for people with more severe blindness. Like the Argus II, a tiny video camera mounted on special glasses captures the image, and a pocket controller [Read More]
FDA takes step to further reduce trans fats in processed foods
Trans fat intake has been associated with coronary heart disease and macular degeneration* The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its preliminary determination that partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary dietary source of artificial trans fat in processed foods, are not “generally recognized as safe” for use in food. The agency has opened a 60-day comment period [Read More]
Breakthrough Technology Helps People See With Their Ears
OrCam, an Israel-based company, has developed a camera-based system which allows the visually impaired to both read and identify objects with a point of a finger. The OrCam device is a small camera connected by a thin cable to a portable computer in the wearer’s pocket. The system clips on to the wearer’s glasses with [Read More]
Gene Therapy Effective in Dogs With Cone-Rod Dystrophy
As reported October 29, 2013 in the journal Molecular Therapy, a French research team led by Fabienne Rolling, Ph.D., of INSERM has used gene therapy to restore vision in dogs affected by cone-rod dystrophy. CRD is caused by mutations in the gene RPGRIP1. In this study, retinal cone cell (central vision) function was significantly rescued [Read More]