Its an exciting time for ophthalmology and the search for a cure for blindness. In the last month alone, three separate reports came out of the scientific world claiming that researchers have found either a cure or a potential cure for the condition.
When patients with glaucoma switched from a brand-name drug to its generic counterpart, they were more likely to take their medication as directed compared to those who remained on the brand name drug, according to a study published online in Ophthalmology.
Researchers at The Ohio State University have announced the development of the first chimeric mouse model of Sjögren’s syndrome—giving scientists an unprecedented look at the progression of the debilitating “dry eye” disease.
Glaucoma, the second-leading cause of blindness in the world, is a condition that occurs when too much pressure builds up inside the eye. This excess pressure pushes back against blood trying to enter the eye, resulting in vision loss.
AMD is a progressive condition that is untreatable in up to 90% of patients and is a leading cause of blindness in the elderly worldwide. The 2 forms of AMD, wet and dry, are classified based on the presence or absence of blood vessels that have invaded the retina.
The concept of a whole eye transplant seems futuristic, if not impossible. But with a $1 million grant from the US Department of Defense, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine hope to someday make implantation of an entire, functional eye a reality.
Doctors encourage patients to become more active with regard to their health care. They know that engaged patients are more likely to have better treatment outcomes. The Internet, smart phones, and apps now provide patients with unprecedented access to health care tools, including home eye tests and other do-it-yourself diagnostic exams. This technology may help patients feel more confident about seeking early treatment, but ophthalmologists and optometrists know that home eye tests and apps can provide misleading results. The key message for patients is that an online eye examination is not a substitute for seeing a doctor who can detect much more than poor vision. Eye doctors frequently catch other illnesses, and detect chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
Most of us have experienced sticker shock and the disparity in costs when shopping for sunglasses or for frames for corrective lenses. The truth behind designer brands and knockoffs will surprise you. It all starts with a large yet little-known company called Luxottica. Luxottica is an Italian eyeglass manufacturer. 60 Minutes reported on Luxottica and detailed how it is probably the most well-known brand that nobody has ever heard of.
Medicine doesn’t change by the century, year, month, or even day; it changes by the minute. In particular, the field of ophthalmology has undergone transformative advances since becoming the first medical specialty in the mid-1800s. These 5 recent medical breakthroughs—along with related developments in the pipeline—represent the past, present, and future of ophthalmology.
Lyme disease, a serious illness transmitted to humans by infected blacklegged ticks, leads to a variety of symptoms for patients. The CDC reports that common symptoms may include fatigue, headache, fever, and a characteristic erythema migrans rash. However, patients who have contracted Lyme disease may also experience some ocular symptoms.
