English Health-care System Failing To Provide Basic Care, Shows Major Survey Aug 17, 2008
12, 2008) About half of US adults age 20 and older have refractive errors, or eye problems that result in less than 20/20 vision, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of. (Aug. (Science Daily)
Myopia slowed by outdoors Aug 13, 2008
Accurate measurement of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism) was conducted using an international standard regime of eye drops, similar to that adopted in recent WHO sponsored studies. Dr Kathryn Rose of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, said: "Our results show that the protective effect of time spent outdoors persists even if a child is doing a lot of near work such as reading and studying. "Television watching and using computers appears to have little... (ScienceAlert)
Refractive Errors Affect Vision For Half Of American Adults Aug 13, 2008
12, 2008) About half of U.S. adults age 20 and older have refractive errors, or eye problems that result in less than 20/20 vision, according to a report in the August issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. See also. (Science Daily)
Refractive Errors Significantly Affect Adults In United States Aug 13, 2008
These refractive errors account for nearly 80% of vision impairment in residents older than 12 in the United States ... When analyzing ethnicity, Mexican-Americans were less likely to have refractive errors than non-Hispanic whites or non-Hispanic blacks. (Medical News Today)
Myopia in children Aug 4, 2008
Technology may be good a thing but it might not portend well for our childrens eyesight (The Star Online, Malaysia)
One million Nigerians blind, says govt survey Jul 28, 2008
He said the survey used the latest ophthalmic equipment and methods, including automated measurement of refractive errors, screening for visual field defects and digital imaging of the back of the eye ... More than half (57 per cent) of them could have their vision improved by a simple pair of glasses (refractive errors) while another quarter would not have a problem with their sight if they had a cataract operation. (Guardian News, Nigeria)
LASIK surgery: Say goodbye to your glasses Jun 18, 2008
LASIK, the acronym for "laser in-situ keratomileusis", is a type of refractive surgery that has become the most popular procedure performed today for correcting refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. Its success is largely attributed to its safety, efficacy, rapid visual recovery and minimal discomfort to patients. (Jakarta Post, Indonesia -- Features)
Strong Evidence For A Genetic Marker For Nearsightedness Jun 4, 2008
3, 2008) Research by Gu Zhu, M.D., and colleagues supports the theory that the refractive errors known as nearsightedness and farsightedness are primarily inherited. The group also identified the probable location---on the long arm of chromosome 5---of genes that help determine axial length, a key factor in these refractive errors. (Science Daily)
Free eye screening for Pramso residents Mar 29, 2008
She said it also served as an avenue to sensitize the public on common eye diseases as cataract, allergy, glaucoma, refractive errors, cornea ulcer among others. Rev Owusu-Frimpong said out of the 70 people screened, five were referred to the Hospital while the remaining were given anti-biotics. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Weak eyes, strong eyes Dec 19, 2007
"The progression of refractive errors, whether myopia (nearsightedness) in a teenager or loss of reading vision in a middle-aged individual (presbyopia), occurs at its own tempo and quite independent of any glasses that happen to be worn in front of the eyes," D'Amico said. "This is a very common misconception, and also the cause of unnecessary suffering." Correctly prescribed lenses are safer, D'Amico pointed out. (International Herald Tribune -- Health)
For your eyes only Oct 14, 2007
And for another 150 million people who are visually impaired due to uncorrected refractive errors. Whats more, without proper intervention, the number of people who are blind is likely to increase to 75 million by 2020, as per the World Health organisation (WHO). (Economic Times)
Right to Sight World Sight Day Oct 11, 2007
Refractive errors account for about 5 million blind people ... Vision 2020 is involved in providing low cost options to correct refractive errors especially in underprivileged areas. (MedIndia)
Robert Chappell, President, World Council of Optometry Oct 7, 2007
Refractive errors, mainly presbyopia, contact lenses, low vision aids and vision therapies and supporting role in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are some of the areas where the role of optometrists can be crucial. Increased use of computers and excessive TV viewing are posing serious and new threats in the form of computer vision syndrome. (India Times)
A Global Coalition of Good Sep 8, 2007
"We examined 4,600 people and documented their visual status, refractive errors and any pathology or disease," he wrote. "We gave spectacles to all who needed glasses and gave away 500 pairs of reading glasses. My retinal partner and I performed 159 cataract surgeries. All of the patients were seen one week postoperatively. There were no infections or serious complications.". (Time.com)
Bausch & Lomb Launches the Stellaris(TM) Vision Enhancement System in Europe at ESCRS 2007 Sep 7, 2007
" In addition to the Stellaris system, Bausch & Lomb is showcasing new advancements in refractive surgery during ESCRS 2007, including: Zyoptix ACE Advanced Control Eyetracking technology. Zyoptix ACE is designed to further improve the accuracy and predictability of refractive surgery outcomes by dynamically compensating for intraoperative cyclotorsion (eye rotation). Zyoptix XP Epi Separator. This forthcoming epithelial separation technology for the Zyoptix XP microkeratome platform will... (BusinessWire)
Local Lions Club goes on health mission to Belize Aug 31, 2007
The World Health Organization estimates that 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors in their vision. It is estimated that Lions clubs collect more than 20 million pairs each year, one of their more popular activities. (Carlisle Sentinel, PA)
Workers' Vision Woes Cost Employers Billions Jun 28, 2007
The report found that an estimated 11 million Americans have uncorrected vision problems such as refractive errors (near- or far-sightedness), glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration. "I see patients everyday with vision problems that could impact their work performance if not corrected," said ophthalmologist Dr. Elaine G. Hathaway in a prepared statement. (MEDLINEplus)
Eyesight organization ramps up call for action May 8, 2007
There are an additional 150 million people with uncorrected refractive errors (more commonly known as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism). Most of these people - many of them children -live in the poorest areas of the world and have nothing in the way of a social safety net. (Canada Newswire)
The Evolution of LASIK Opens Door for Patients With Vision Problems Jan 23, 2007
Lasik and the second-most popular procedure - PRK, or photorefractive keratectomy - are designed to correct three refractive errors: nearsightedness; farsightedness; and astigmatism, a visual distortion that causes blurred vision. KATHERINE FREY/THE WASHINGTON POST After having elective LASIK surgery in both eyes, Alice Corbett no longer needs glasses for distance, though she still uses them for reading. (The Ledger)
Eye Tests May Predict Future Vision Problems In Preterm Children Dec 31, 2006
"However, such follow-up programs are expensive and must be based on accurate knowledge of the prevalences of ophthalmological disorders in preterm and full-term children." Previous studies have found that refractive errors, or errors in the degree of light that reaches the back of the eye, are more common in preterm children (born before 35 weeks gestation) than full-term children ... D., and colleagues at Uppsala University Hospital, Sweden, performed retinoscopies--tests for refractive errors... (Science Daily)
Major Visual Disorders In People Over 40 May Be Costing U.S. Economy Billions Dec 13, 2006
These diseases include age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, primary open-angle glaucoma and refractive errors, which are correctable with glasses or contact lenses. In addition to direct medical costs, other direct costs, such as nursing home health care, are related to these major visual disorders. (Science Daily)
Vision Problems Among Those Over 40 Costly Dec 12, 2006
As the population ages, millions of Americans have visual impairment, blindness or other eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, primary open-angle glaucoma and refractive errors. Total costs include not only direct medical costs, but nursing home health care, the study found. (Health-Finder)
Eye Tests Predict Later Vision Trouble for Preemies Nov 21, 2006
Previous studies have found that refractive errors (problems with the degree of light that reaches the back of the eye) are more common in children born preterm (before 35 weeks of gestation) than in full-term children. In this new study, researchers at Uppsala University Hospital checked for refractive errors in 198 preterm children at 6 months, 2. (MEDLINEplus)
Children born preterm need follow-up eye tests Nov 18, 2006
In a previous study, the investigators showed that refractive errors are about four times more common in preterm children compared to full-term children, at the age of 10 years ... "Although the children with severe cryotreated retinopathy of prematurity had the highest prevalence of refractive errors, we found that the development over time of astigmatism and anisometropia ... was similar, regardless the stage of retinopathy of prematurity," Larsson told Reuters Health. (Reuters)
Sight Test and Glasses Could Dramatically Improve the Lives of 150 Million People With Poor Vision Oct 12, 2006
(Logo: ) To mark World Sight Day, 12 October 2006, the World Health Organization (WHO) has released new global estimates which, for the first time, reveal that 153 million people around the world have uncorrected refractive errors (more commonly known as near-sightedness, far-sightedness and astigmatism). Refractive errors can be easily diagnosed, measured and corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses, yet millions of people in low and middle income countries do not have access to these basic... (PR Newswire)
STAAR Surgical Announces New Presentation Time at UBS Global Life Sciences Conference Sep 20, 2006
STAAR's products are used by ophthalmic surgeons and include the Visian ICL, a tiny, flexible lens implanted to correct refractive errors, as well as innovative products designed to improve patient outcomes for cataracts and glaucoma. STAAR's ICL is approved by the FDA for use in treating myopia, has received CE Marking and is approved for sale in 43 countries. (PR Newswire)
ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital to offer free eye care services Aug 9, 2006
The major causes of avoidable blindness and visual disability include cataract, trachoma, glaucoma, onchocerciasis, corneal scarring, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy and sickle cell retinopathy ... Dr Awuah Siaw, Director of Institutional Care Division of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), said the Service for the next five years would focus on cataract, trachoma, onchocerciasis, childhood blindness and refractive errors and low vision. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
KATH organises outreach eye care programme at Bibiani Jul 25, 2006
Among the common eye diseases identified were refractive errors, squint, allergies, pterygiums, vernal congetivities, cornea ulcer, cornea scar and immature cataract. One hundred and fifty patients whose cases were found to be severe were selected for surgeries. (Ghana Web, Ghana)
Study Finds Most Americans Have Good Vision, But 14 Million Are Visually Impaired May 11, 2006
A phoropter is a machine used to detect refractive errors. (Credit: National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health). (Science Daily)
Childhood visual disorders impetus for new Web site Jan 7, 2006
The new site will increase the proportion of preschool children, aged five years and under, who receive vision screenings; and reduce uncorrected visual impairment due to refractive errors - any defect that distorts clear vision. "This project has become a labor of love, and we're picking up more disorders than the national average," Bleich said. (Kansas City Nursing News, KS)
