A team of researchers from Singapore has developed a nanomedical treatment for glaucoma which is intended to replace eye drops.

 

This new approach was jointly developed by scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI). Applied directly to the eye through a painless injection, the new treatment ensures the delivery of latanoprost for six months.

 

The delivery system is made up of millions of nano-sized capsules, which are thousands of times smaller than a speck of dust and release their contents slowly over time. The researchers believe that older people, who often forget to administer their eye drops daily, will benefit from this new approach.

 

“It is estimated that at least ten per cent of blindness from glaucoma is directly caused by poor patient adherence to their prescribed medications,” said professorTina Wong, from the SERI. “Many patients find it difficult to adhere to their doctor’s prescribed regime for many reasons, such as forgetfulness, finding it too troublesome, or they lack understanding of the disease. The results in this clinical study will open up a new treatment modality for glaucoma other than taking daily eye drops, and will greatly enhance patient compliance and improve treatment outcomes.”

Source:

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/06/140603092332.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over-aggressive vision correction may increase the risk of falling in older adults, according to Dr. David B. Elliott, who has received the Glenn A. Fry award for a study on the topic.

 

The researcher conducted a review of studies on the impact of blurred vision and vision correction on the risk of falling in older adults. Poor vision is a significant factor in the risk of falling in older people. Consequently, one would think that getting new glasses would reduce this risk. However, the opposite is often the case.

 

In a paper published in Optometry and Vision Science, Dr. Elliott refers to a study showing that older patients getting new glasses with a big change in vision prescription have difficulty adapting and are at risk of falling.

 

Dr. Elliott suggests that optometrists use a conservative approach when prescribing glasses for older patients and keep the same type of lens that their patients are used to. He also suggests that if a patient simply requests a new frame, without complaining of vision problems, optometrists should follow the clinical maxim that says “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”

Sources:

http://journals.lww.com/optvissci/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2014&issue=06000&article=00003&type=abstract

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/05/140523145133.htm

 

Several international organizations have joined forces to assess global awareness about diabetic retinopathy, its treatments and its consequences.

 

The key partners, the International Federation on Ageing (IFA) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), will work in collaboration with the New York Academy of Medicine (NYAM) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). These organizations will gather evidence on knowledge, policies, standards of care, and supportive services across 40 countries.

 

Phase I of the project will be comprised of 120 interviews in eight countries representative of various socio-economic statuses. Phase II will be the implementation of a survey in 40 countries, which will be formulated based on the data gathered in Phase I.

 

“Unless we act now to stem the diabetes epidemic and provide joined up services that enable people with diabetes to be checked and treated for diabetic retinopathy then the number of blind people in the world will increase dramatically in forthcoming years,” said Peter Ackland, chief executive of IAPB.

 

The project will culminate in the production of a barometer report and a compendium of resources designed to increase awareness, as well as to develop better public policies and better practices for managing diabetic retinopathy and vision loss.

Source:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/276726.php

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ProDesign International A/S and Architectures SAS (founder of the FACE A FACE and WOOW brands) announced the merger of their companies under the banner of the Danish private Equity fund Erhvervsinvest.

 

The merger of these two companies, which are complementing each other through their positioning in the market and their organization as well as the pooling of their mutual assets, will accelerate the development of the two companies and enable the group to strategically position itself as a strong player on the market of independent designer brands.

 

ProDesign International A/S and Architectures SAS account for sales of 95% and 85% respectively on export markets. The expected sales of the new group for 2014 should reach about 40 M€ ($58,880 M).

 

Dion Eriksen, CEO, ProDesign International comments: “FACE A FACE is undoubtedly one of the strongest independent designer brands in the world and will together with the product portfolio of ProDesign establish an even stronger position in the market. We look very much forward to benefit by the high experience each company contributes with.”

 

Pascal Jaulent, President of Architectures declares: “The common design culture and international position of ProDesign and FACE A FACE is a great opportunity for the development of our brands. This strategic alliance will also reinforce our capacities to adapt to the future challenges of the optical market.”

 

Source: FACE A FACE and ProDesign Denmark

 

The women’s online eyewear retailer, Rivet & Sway, has announced that it is shutting down.

 

It often looks as if selling eyewear products online is a piece of cake, given the success of certain groups such as Coastal.com. Rivet & Sway’s experience presents quite a different image.

 

Founded in 2011, Rivet & Sway set out to be an online shopping boutique focused on high-end women’s prescription brand glasses. Frames were priced between $170 and $200, including lenses. The company was named one of Internet Retailer’s “Hot 100 E-Retailers of 2013.”

 

Yet, the company was quickly confronted with the limitations of its business model. The service allowing women to try on frames at home, for example, was very expensive. It cost a lot to ship frames back and forth, only to have them left unsold in the end. The company tried to diversify through bricks and mortar retailing and a Specs on Wheels “tricycle” to display its merchandise in beauty salons.

 

Unfortunately, these efforts did not convince investors to give additional capital. “The company was growing and reducing costs…just not enough to satisfy investor demands,” explained founder John Lusk.

Sources:

http://www.geekwire.com/2014/inside-story-rivet-sway-online-retailer-closed-doors/

http://www.visionmonday.com/latest-news/article/womens-online-eyewear-retailer-rivet–sway-shuts-down-1/