New research may be misconstrued by Dan Roberts A recent press release from the University of Maryland School of Medicine has found that tiny spherules of calcium phosphate known as hydroxyapatite, or HAP) may be an important “triggering factor” for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The report appeared in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of [Read More]
News
Simulated Blindness May Not Help Others Understand
Simulating blindness can have negative effects on people’s perceptions of the visually impaired. According to a study done at the University of Colorado, techniques such as dining in the dark and wearing a blindfold around the house may not be as helpful to others, as believed. For an insightful discussion of this issue, read Simulated [Read More]
Eye Exams: More Important Than You Might Think
by Dan Roberts Why do so many of us neglect to protect our vision, when all it takes is an eye exam? We’re vigilant about safeguarding our material things, our reputations, cars, credit cards. So why would we trust our precious peepers to the whims of fate? Maybe some of us ignore our eyes simply [Read More]
FHL-1 Protein Deficiency May Cause AMD
A protein released by the complement factor H (CFH) gene has been thought to be responsible for protecting the retina from inflammation leading to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Scientists from the University of Manchester have, however, now discovered that the protein factor H is not the main regulator of immunity. Instead, it is a different [Read More]
CFH and CFB Proteins May Lead to AMD
by Dan Roberts Updated October 2011 Two genes have been shown to lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in recent studies. In 2005, the first suspect protein was discovered by three separate research centers. Called Complement Factor H (CFH), it may be a cause of AMD in as many as 50% of cases. CFH helps [Read More]