eye sight Archives - Amazing Health Advances

New Drug Shows Promise in Restoring Vision for People with Nerve Damage

The AHA! Team — Fri, 04 Apr 2025 05:24:11 +0000

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus via EurekAlert! – Research from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveals drug could potentially help repair vision in those with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions. Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found a promising drug candidate that could help restore vision in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurological conditions that damage neurons. The study was published this week in the journal Nature Communications. The drug, LL-341070, enhances the brain’s ability to repair damaged myelin— the protective sheath around nerve fibers. Damage to myelin is a hallmark of diseases like MS, as well as a natural consequence of aging, often resulting in vision loss, loss of motor skills, and cognitive decline. The research, focused on vision, demonstrated that while the brain has some ability to repair itself when myelin is damaged, the process can be slow and inefficient. Researchers observed that LL-341070 significantly accelerated the repair process and improved brain function related to vision in mice, even after severe damage. “This research brings us closer to a world where the brain has the capacity to heal itself” “This research brings us closer to a world where the brain has the capacity to heal itself” said Ethan Hughes, PhD, co-lead author and associate professor in the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology at the CU School of Medicine. “By harnessing this potential, we hope to help people with diseases like MS by potentially reversing some of the damage, offering people the opportunity to regain their vision and cognitive function.” Researchers discovered that the treatment makes the repair process is much more effective following serious damage, highlighting the importance of intervention with severe injury. Even partial repair of myelin was found to significantly improve vision-related brain functions. “We’ve known for years that myelin plays a crucial role in brain function” “We’ve known for years that myelin plays a crucial role in brain function,” said Daniel Denman, PhD, co-lead author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Physiology and Biophysics at the CU School of Medicine. “This study highlights the role of cortical myelin in visual function. The drug could be a game-changer because it accelerates the brain’s natural repair mechanisms.” The researchers plan to test the drug in other areas of the brain and refine the treatment, hoping to make it even more effective and eventually accessible to patients. “This discovery is just the beginning,” Hughes said. “We are optimistic that LL-341070 and similar therapies could one day provide real, tangible benefits to patients by improving overall brain function and quality of life.” About the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education and patient care. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, more than 60 centers and institutes and two nationally ranked independent hospitals – UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado – which see more than two million adult and pediatric patient visits yearly. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus delivers life-changing treatments, patient care and professional training and conducts world-renowned research fueled by $910 million in annual research funding, including $757 million in sponsored awards and $153 million in philanthropic gifts. Journal Nature Communications To read the original article click here.

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Daily Pistachio Consumption Linked to Improved Eye Health

The AHA! Team — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 06:23:49 +0000

American Pistachio Growers via News-Medical – A new study from researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University has found that consuming pistachios daily may significantly improve eye health by increasing macular pigment optical density (MPOD), due to the plant pigment lutein, a key factor in protecting the eyes from blue (visible) light and age-related damage. The randomized controlled trial showed that compared to eating a usual diet alone, eating 2 ounces (57 grams) of pistachios per day for 12 weeks as part of a usual diet resulted in a significant increase in MPOD in otherwise healthy middle-aged to older adults. MPOD is an important indicator of eye health, as it protects the retina and is linked to a reduced risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in older adults. Findings from this research are timely, as according to a national poll by the American Foundation for the Blind, Americans fear vision loss more than they fear other serious health problems. Key findings Increased MPOD: Participants who consumed pistachios daily saw a significant rise in MPOD after just 6 weeks, with the effect sustained throughout the 12-week study. Natural Lutein Source: Pistachios are the only nut that provides a measurable source of lutein, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the eyes. AMD Prevention Potential: The study suggests that regular pistachio consumption could offer a natural dietary approach to reducing the risk of AMD. “Our findings indicate that pistachios are not only a nutritious snack, but they may also provide significant benefits for eye health. This is especially important as people age and face higher risks of vision impairment.” Dr. Tammy Scott, a research and clinical neuropsychologist and lead author of the study Unique role of lutein from pistachios and eye health Lutein, found in pistachios, plays a critical role in maintaining eye health by filtering blue light and acting as an antioxidant in the eye. The study found that pistachio consumption nearly doubled participants’ daily intake of lutein, which is typically very low in most American diets, and significantly raised plasma levels of lutein. Dr. Scott explains that in the study, participants were selected to have low habitual baseline lutein intakes in their diet and just 2 ounces per day rapidly increased lutein levels in the blood in only 6 weeks. “By simply incorporating a handful of pistachios into your diet, you can improve your intake of lutein, which is crucial for protecting your eyes,” notes Dr. Scott. She adds that pistachios provide a source of healthy fat, potentially making the lutein from pistachios better taken up into the body. In the study, about 1.6 mg of lutein was provided from pistachios, which would be enough to double the average daily consumption of lutein, which is in a class of plant pigments known as xanthophylls, in U.S. adults. Broader health benefits of lutein Beyond supporting eye health, the lutein found in pistachios may also benefit brain function. “Lutein crosses the blood-brain barrier, where it may help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation,” notes Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, a co-investigator on the study. As with the eye, lutein selectively accumulates in the brain and may play a role in reducing cognitive decline. Studies suggest higher lutein levels are associated with better cognitive performance, including memory and processing speed, making pistachios a valuable addition to a diet aimed at supporting overall healthy aging. Source: American Pistachio Growers Journal reference: Scott, T. M., et al. (2024). Pistachio consumption increases Macular Pigment Optical Density in healthy adults: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Nutrition. doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2024.10.022. To read the original article click here.

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LASIK: What You Need to Know

The AHA! Team — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 05:04:15 +0000

Kourtney H. Houser, MD via Duke Health – Chances are, you know someone who has had LASIK surgery, or you may have considered the procedure yourself. Despite the allure of ditching daily eyewear, the decision to undergo this elective surgery is one most people understandably deliberate on for quite a while. Here, Duke corneal specialist Kourtney Houser. MD, explains what you need to know if you are considering LASIK surgery. Is LASIK as quick, easy, and painless as it’s sometimes described? Make no mistake — LASIK is surgery, and anyone who implies otherwise is not forthcoming. The surgeon creates a flap in the cornea, and a laser is used to reshape the underlying cornea. The surgery takes less than ten minutes, and patients feel pressure but no pain. However, that does not mean it is a simple procedure that just anyone can perform. Like any surgery, the experience of the surgeon is the most important factor in achieving the best results. What factors are important when considering LASIK? In addition to the surgeon’s experience, several elements are crucial to success with LASIK surgery. It starts with a thorough preoperative exam by a qualified surgeon and staff to ensure you are a good candidate. The quality of the surgical tools, such as the laser used, is also very important. We believe that having dedicated, on-site laser machines in a controlled operating room environment, where temperature and humidity are constantly monitored, contributes to better outcomes in our patients. We also have two different excimer laser platforms so that we can customize the procedure to each patient’s eye measurements and ensure the best vision possible. What complications are possible, and how common are they? Any eye procedure has a risk of vision loss, infection, or scarring, but thankfully this is very rare with LASIK. We actually think that the infection risk is less than that with contact lens wear over a patient’s lifetime, based on some reviews. Other risks include needing a second procedure, worsened dry eye, and development of pain or discomfort in the eyes, but most of these can be avoided by appropriate and in-depth pre-operative screening. Our rate of complications is extremely low, with the majority of them occurring less than 1% of the time. Our rates of enhancement (the need for additional laser adjustments) are under 2%. Who is not a good candidate for LASIK? Good question. There are people who are not candidates for LASIK surgery. In fact, I generally turn down roughly 20% of the prospective patients who come in for an evaluation. Some of the more common reasons include high refractive errors (nearsightedness or farsightedness), dry eyes, thin or abnormally shaped corneas, cataracts, and retinal problems from diabetes. The good news is that if you do not qualify for LASIK, Duke offers an array of alternative surgical procedures, such as PRK, phakic intraocular lenses, and cataract surgery with presbyopia- or astigmatism-correcting intraocular lenses. How long do improvements last? Improvements typically last a lifetime, though there can be some slight regression with time depending on your prescription. Also, most patients will develop a need for reading glasses as they reach their 40s and 50s–and while this doesn’t signify the LASIK “not working” anymore, it does usually require patients to wear glasses for some near tasks. What’s the bottom line when considering LASIK? LASIK is not for everybody, but those who are good candidates can experience a life-changing experience–independence from glasses or contact lenses and the freedom to see without correction for many years. As with any surgery, people should do their homework beforehand and choose a surgeon and facility in which they have confidence. To read the original article click here.

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Shining a Light on How Exercise Reduces Cataract Risk

AHA Publisher — Mon, 22 Jun 2020 07:00:20 +0000

University of South Australia via Newswise– Chinese and Australian researchers have combined studies of more than 170,000 people and found conclusive evidence that regular physical exercise reduces the risk of age-related cataracts, the cause of blindness in an estimated 13 million people worldwide. In a recent paper published in the International Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers from Xi’an Jiaotong University and the University of South Australia (UniSA) analysed data from six different studies looking at how exercise reduces oxidative damage in the eye. The researchers found a 10 per cent reduction in age-related cataracts (ARC) among people who engaged in regular physical activity such as walking and cycling. UniSA epidemiologist Dr Ming Li says physical activity reduces oxidative stress in the eye by inhibiting lipid degradation which results in cell damage. “We know that exercise increases antioxidant enzyme activity which has all sorts of benefits, including limiting infections and inflammation in the eye,” Dr Li says. Previous studies have shown that long-term physical activity also elevates HDL (high-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as the ‘good cholesterol’, which may carry more antioxidants from plasma to the lens to prevent oxidative damage. Exercise also improves insulin resistance and lipid profiles, both of which have been associated with an increased risk of ARC. “Age-related cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision impairment and blindness in the world and although surgery is an effective option to recover vision, it is very costly,” Dr Li says. “The lens is highly susceptible to oxidative damage because of its high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acid and its specific biological function. Although we don’t completely understand the mechanisms underlying ARC, we do know that ageing and oxidative damage play a crucial role in the development of the disease.” The researchers found that the risk of developing cataracts could potentially decrease by two per cent for every hour of cycling or walking per day. “Considering the fact that 24 per cent of adults are inactive, these findings will hopefully encourage older people to start exercising on a regular basis,” Dr Li says. To read the original article click here.

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12 Revolutionary Advances for Your Eye Health

The AHA! Team — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 07:00:00 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Eye drops for vision correction, corneal implants, new treatments for macular degeneration and amblyopia among many exciting ophthalmic developments in Israel. The human eye is miraculously complex. Like any complex system with many delicate parts, myriad things can go wrong and impact our ability to see properly. While much remains to be learned about how to prevent and fix problems affecting vision, Israelis are at the forefront of innovating solutions for eyes that may be damaged, diseased or losing function due to aging. Below we summarize 12 revolutionary Israeli therapeutic and diagnostic technologies for eyes. We have not included the many amazing Israeli assistive technologies for the 250 million people in the world who are blind or seriously visually impaired. Click on the links to read about groundbreaking solutions from RenewSenses, OrCam, ICI Vision, RightHear and Project Ray. Vision Correction Blurry vision caused by refractive errors, farsightedness, nearsightedness and/or astigmatism is the most common and correctable eyesight problem. Millions of people wear eyeglasses or opt for laser surgery. Other alternatives are being pioneered in Israel. Nano-Drops could correct any of the three refractive errors mentioned above. The three-step system will involve measuring refraction using a smartphone app, stamping an individualized optical pattern onto the top layer of the cornea with a proprietary laser device based on that measurement, and then applying synthetic biocompatible protein nanoparticle drops to activate the stamped optical pattern, changing the trajectory of light passing through the cornea. Developed at Bar-Ilan University’s Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials, Nano-Drops achieved a correction of 3 diopters for farsightedness and 2.5 diopters for nearsightedness in preclinical animal tests. Two more years of development are expected before clinical trials begin, says co-inventor Dr. David Smadja, director of the Ophthalmology Research and Innovation Unit at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem. Orasis Pharmaceuticals of Herzliya recently initiated a Phase 2b clinical study in the United States to evaluate its CSF-1 pharmaceutical-grade daily eye drops to replace reading glasses in the millions of people over age 45 with presbyopia age-related farsightedness caused by the lens of the eye losing its natural flexibility. DeepOptics of Petah Tikva is developing dynamic electronic multifocal eyeglasses with high-tech lenses that detect viewing distance and adjust automatically for the user. In addition to vision correction, the company also is collaborating with leaders in the augmented reality (AR) space to integrate DeepOptics tunable lenses in next-gen AR headsets. Cornea Diseases According to the World Health Organization, diseases of the cornea are the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, second only to cataracts. As many as 30 million people are affected, with around two million new cases each year. Corneal transplants are the most common type of transplant in the world. EyeYon in Ness Ziona has CE and FDA clearance for its Hyper-CL therapeutic contact lens to treat corneal edema and other corneal conditions including post-surgical conditions resulting from cataract extraction and corneal surgery. Coupled with hypertonic drops, these removable lenses provide better cornea thickness reduction and three times more improvement in vision compared to other therapeutic contact lenses. Hyper-CL is now being tested as a platform for making any topical drops stay on the cornea for increased effectiveness. EyeYon also is developing EndoArt, a polymer implant that cures corneal edema without the need for a human cornea transplant. Currently, there is only one human cornea available for every 70 people in need of a transplant. EndoArt was implanted in two patients in Israel and is now going into clinical trials at four centers â€” in Israel, Spain, India and Germany. “This will be a game-changer,” predicts EyeYon cofounder and inventor Dr. Ofer Daphna. CorNeat Vision of Ra’anana is developing an artificial cornea, CorNeat KPro, which can be transplanted in a simple 30-minute surgery. Dr. Gilad Litvin, the ophthalmologist who invented the implant, said that following successful preclinical tests on rabbits, clinical trials are planned to begin in October at centers in Israel, France, the United States and Canada initially, followed by China about six months later. Retina Diseases The retina is the inside back layer of the eye that records the images we see and sends them via the optic nerve to the brain. Retina diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are leading causes of blindness. The ForeseeHome FDA-approved home monitoring test by Notal Vision supports earlier detection of wet AMD in people with intermediate dry AMD. The progression from dry to wet AMD can occur rapidly and lead to severe vision loss if left undiagnosed and untreated. Three minutes per eye ForeseeHome, available by physician order and covered in the US by Medicare and most private insurance, takes three minutes per eye. Results are sent automatically to the Notal Vision Data Monitoring Center. The physician’s office is alerted when a significant change from baseline occurs. The company recently received FDA approval of Home OCT System, an AI cloud-based optical platform designed for remote monitoring of retinal fluid changes in patients diagnosed with wet AMD. Based in Virginia, Notal Vision was founded in Israel and maintains an R&D, engineering and manufacturing facility in Tel Aviv. An implantable miniature telescope developed in Israel forms the basis of VisionCare’s treatment for patients 55 years and older (in Europe) or 65 and older (US) with end-stage AMD. The implant is the only FDA-approved, Medicare-eligible surgical device for advanced macular degeneration in the United States. It is also approved in Europe, Australia, Canada, Israel and New Zealand. Currently, the VisionCare product may be used in the US and Europe only in patients who did not already have an artificial (intraocular) lens implanted to treat cataracts. Because many patients have had cataract surgery by the time AMD gets severe, the company is investigating the safety and efficacy of replacing a previously implanted intraocular lens with the telescope implant. This could increase the population of patients potentially eligible for the outpatient procedure. Headquartered in California with most of its operations in Petah Tikva, VisionCare also has CE approval for a newer silicon model of the telescopic lens that requires a smaller incision and thus fewer sutures, together with a new injector system to streamline the surgery. AEye Health of Tel Aviv and New York invented an at-home retinal diagnostic screening system based on artificial intelligence, computer vision and a database of 100,000 images of the retina and its inner structures. With pilots in several clinics and two large American hospitals underway, AEye Health aims by 2020 to be the first FDA-approved retinal screening solution for home use. Retinal imaging is a simple procedure that can detect a variety of conditions but fewer than 25% of the high-risk population in the US goes to the doctor for an annual screening because it’s often impractical and expensive. Nano Retina of Herzliya is developing an implantable chip to restore sight lost due to degenerative retinal diseases. The chip replaces the functionality of the damaged photoreceptor cells and creates the electrical stimulation required to activate the remaining healthy retinal cells. Stimulation parameters can be calibrated and optimized after the procedure based on the patient’s individual needs. A pair of wireless rechargeable eyeglasses will provide the Nano Retina implant with power, communicate with the implant and allow the patient to fine-tune different light settings at a push of a button. California-based BioTime and its Jerusalem subsidiary, Cell Cure Neurosciences recently received a $2.5 million grant from the Israel Innovation Authority for continued development of OpRegen, its injectable retinal pigment epithelium transplant therapy currently in Phase I/IIa trials in Israel and the United States for the treatment of dry AMD. OpRegen has FDA fast-track designation and its development also is supported by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and Cancer Research UK. Strabismus and Amblyopia Nearly 3% of children suffer from amblyopia (lazy eye), the leading cause of vision loss in children. Although the condition is treatable, inaccurate diagnosis and outdated treatment methods often result in reduced vision. NovaSight, based in Airport City, aims to prevent pediatric vision loss by combining AI and eye tracking in products geared to children’s attention spans. The company received CE clearance and FDA registration for its EyeSwift vision-assessment system and CureSight amblyopia treatment system. “The traditional treatment for lazy eye is placing a patch over the good eye,” Liran Adlin, NovaSight’s marketing manager, tells ISRAEL21c. “This can be a great source of embarrassment and discomfort for children, resulting in low compliance of 40% and sub-optimal results. “With our CureSight device, treatment is carried out while the child watches a favorite movie or TV program at home, using sophisticated real-time 3D image-processing algorithms. The system can monitor the treatment progress of the child in real time and provide feedback to the caregivers through tele-medicine. On top of that, CureSight can personalize treatment protocols using AI and big-data analysis to customize to patients’ progress.” Adlin adds that a clinical study conducted in Sheba Medical Center “showed significant improvement of both visual acuity and stereo-acuity in a cohort of 20 children following 12 weeks of training, with 95% compliance rate.” Regarding EyeSwift, NovaSight has partnered with a large eye-care corporation to make the system; sales began in the second quarter of 2019. Medisim of Neve Ilan is working toward FDA approval of BinoVision video goggles to treat children with amblyopia. BinoVision goggles turn any digital content â€“ movies, cartoons, games, music videos, TV shows â€” into a fun mode of therapy by presenting separate, independent views of the same image to each eye. The image presented to the amblyopic eye is enhanced as a way of stimulating the brain to improve its visual function. A prototype tested by Dr. Chaim Stolovitch, chief of the Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus Unit at Tel Aviv Medical Center, was found to be more effective than patching or eye drops. R&D for the final version of BinoVision is continuing at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. To read the original article click here. To read more articles by Israel21c click here.

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