Many people need corrective lenses to see an image or read a text on a screen. So what if we could correct the display instead of the viewer’s vision?

 

That’s what researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are working on. They’re developing computer algorithms to compensate for an individual’s visual impairment and produce a custom-made image for that person. “Instead of relying on optics to correct your vision, we use computation,” explained Fu-Chung Huang, a Berkeley researcher.

 

This approach could potentially help hundreds of millions of people who currently need corrective lenses to see their screens, but especially patients with high order aberrations that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.

 

In their prototype, the researchers inserted a printed pinhole screen sandwiched between two layers of clear plastic into an iPod display. The tiny pinholes were 75 micrometres each and spaced 390 micrometres apart. By adjusting the intensity of the light emanating from each pixel in each direction, the researchers were able to create an image corresponding to the user’s visual impairment.

 

“Our technique distorts the image such that, when the intended user looks at the screen, the image will appear sharp to that particular viewer. But if someone else were to look at the image, it would look bad,” said Brian Barsky, a Berkeley professor.

Source:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/07/140729152921.htm

 

 

 

Scientists from the University of Iowa have created the most detailed molecular map to date of the human eye, by cataloguing more than 4,000 proteins in the choroid.

 

These proteins play an important role in maintaining vision, in a part of the eye associated with diseases that can lead to vision loss or blindness, such as age-related macular degeneration. By observing the varying quantities of proteins in the three areas of the choroid, the researchers believe that they can see which proteins may be associated with vision loss and with eye disease.

 

“This molecular map now gives us clues why certain areas of the choroid are more sensitive to certain diseases, as well as where to target therapies and why,” says Vinit Mahajan, a corresponding author on the paper, published in the journal JAMA Ophthalmology. “Before this, we just didn’t know what was where.”

 

For example, with the map, the researchers learned that the CFH protein is more abundant in the fovea. However, this protein helps prevent a molecular cascade of events that can lead to AMD. Monitoring CFH abundance in this area therefore becomes a good means of detecting the risks of AMD.

Sources:

http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1889671

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140801125054.htm

 

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) launched two new membership categories at their most recent Governing Board meeting in Maputo, Mozambique.

 

The two new categories are “Individual” and “Corporate” membership. This will make the organization accessible to people who want to support their work.

 

Individual membership will be open to individual optometrists, vision scientists, faculty, researchers and eye care industry professionals. For $100 ($50 in developing countries), they can become members of the WCO.

 

The Corporate category is open to commercial organizations that are not otherwise eligible for Associate or Affiliate membership and have a recognized and approved business relationship with an Associate or Affiliate. The cost of membership for a year is $900.

 

Both Individual and Corporate members must endorse the WCO concept of optometry (http://worldoptometry.org/en/about-wco/who-is-an-optometrist/index.cfm).

 

“You do not have to be an optometrist to be interested in our mission which is to promote eye health and vision care as a human right through advocacy, education and public policy development,” says Canadian optometrist Susan Cooper, president of the WCO.

Source:

http://www.worldoptometry.org/en/news/index.cfm/WCO-new-membership-categories   

 

On September 19, 2014, Google Glass and other new wearable technology devices will be the theme in a series of continuing education sessions at Vision Expo West, in Las Vegas.

 

For a total of six hours, the Wearable Tech Track session will update participants on Google Glass, the future of digital vision and of the marketing of wearable technology, and how the field of view is maximized through the integration of GPS and Bluetooth heads-up display technology into frames. The session will also include a discussion on the latest developments in wearable optical technology, ranging from smart glasses and smart contact lenses to augmented and virtual reality systems. Finally, visitors can attend a demonstration of products that increase contrast, comfort and focus for the digital generation.

 

In addition, Vision Expo West will offer over 38 hours of continuing education on the various ways eye care professionals can integrate new technologies into their practice for better patient outcomes and financial results. The 20 courses range from imaging or surgical applications to new marketing or management strategies.

 

Vision Expo West will be held this year at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, from September 17 to 20. Registration is open at www.visionexpowest.com.

Source: Vision Expo West

 

 

Optician Nicolas Tountas is the new CEO of the Quebec Cooperative Regard Action and its subsidiaries.

 

With more than 15 years of experience in the optical sector, Tountas has worked as entrepreneur and manager in both manufacturing and sales. He has held the position of deputy CEO at Regard Action since 2013.

 

This appointment follows the retirement of Gaston Boucher. Boucher held the position for eight years. He will nonetheless remain closely associated with the Cooperative, acting as strategic consultant for the management team and the various boards of directors at Regard Action. In his new role, he will study innovative opportunities in the optical industry, while taking part in strategic discussions within the group’s entities and acting as a mentor for their managers.

 

In April 2014, optician Jean-Pierre Côté stepped into the role of Chairman of the board. Regard Action had also created a development coordinator position, filled by optician Josée LeBlanc.

 

The Cooperative has 175 optometrist and optician locations.

Source: Regard Action