A Swedish study showed that the risk of developing a cataract is reduced after ceasing smoking, but remains higher than the risk in people who have never smoked.

 

The study included 44,371 men aged 45 to 79, among whom 25% were active smokers and 39% were former smokers. The findings show that smoking more than 15 cigarettes per day was associated with 42% higher likelihood of a cataract surgery during 12 years of follow-up. In patients who had quit smoking for 20 years, that risk had declined to a relative 21% above that of never-smokers.

 

“Smoking increases the oxidative stress in the lens by generating free radicals and reduces the plasma concentration of several antioxidants, such as ascorbic acid,” the researchers said. “Cigarette smoke also contains toxic metal ions, and cadmium can accumulate in cataractous lenses of smokers.” Cadmium affects anti-oxidative lens enzymes, which weakens the defense against oxidative damage and hastens cataract development.

Source:

http://www.medpagetoday.com/PrimaryCare/Smoking/43653

 

Implandata Ophthalmic Products GmbH says it has successfully carried out a pilot study on the first permanent intraocular pressure sensor implant for glaucoma patients.

 

The company believes it has demonstrated both the safety and functionality of the implant. What is more, it has collected some important information which will result in new versions of the product and in different implantation procedures. The implant was tested on six patients over a twelve-month period.

 

The micro-sensor allows the disease’s evolution to be followed closely, thus improving the effectiveness of treatments. Being able to obtain intraocular pressure data quickly allows physicians to adjust treatments and, by doing so, to reduce the risk of vision loss. Patients can take the readings themselves in the comfort of their homes and under normal daily living conditions.

 

“This is a major technology milestone and clinical breakthrough,” says Professor Robert N. Weinreb, scientific advisor to Implandata. “Glaucoma clinicians and researchers from all over the world are eagerly waiting since decades for applicable technologies to continuously measure real intraocular pressure. And apparently this technology is now available.”

Source:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/271107.php

 

Oakley has officially launched its True Digital Edge^TM wrap lenses for higher prescriptions.

 

Canadian eyecare professionals who took part in the RX sessions that Oakley held in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia in the spring of 2013 have already had a preview of the technology on which the OTD Edge lenses are based.

 

Oakley’s patented procedure consists in first recalculating the prescription using the Oakley True Digital (OTD) technology. This helps optimize clarity and visual precision from the centre of the lens to the edges, even for high-wrap lenses. The Thin Zone technology is then applied, reducing the thickness of the lenses to 40%. The final step is the application of a glazed coating to block any bothersome visual stimuli or distortions.

 

The lenses will be available in a greater range of powers, from +4.00 to -6.00 dioptres, with a binocular visual field of at least 120 degrees.

 

“Eyecare professionals must sometimes announce to their clients who are impressed by Oakley frames that their prescription does not fit the model they want,” says Oakley CEO Colin Baden. “The new lenses will go a long way toward addressing this issue.”

Source:

www.oakley.com

Ahmos Henry is the new president of Hoya Vision Care Canada.

 

With a B.Sc. from Cairo University, in Egypt, and an MBA from Saint Mary’s University, in Canada, Ahmos Henry previously worked nine years at Essilor Canada as vice-president for the Atlantic region.

 

“I am excited to start a new challenge with Hoya Vision Care Canada,” he commented in a press release. “I look forward to working with the team to take the success of Hoya in many parts of Canada to new horizons. I am delighted to join a well-respected company that prides itself in some of the most innovative products that every eyecare professional knows and appreciates.”

 

For his part, the president of Hoya Vision Care Company (Global), Gerry Bottero, said he is honoured that Ahmos Henry has chosen Hoya. “Ahmos is uniquely qualified to drive innovation in our service platform and product portfolio.”

 

Until recently, Hoya Vision Care Canada was headed by David Pietrobon, whose departure was announced in September of 2013.

Source: Hoya Canada

 

Canadian researchers may have found a treatment for aniridia, a group of congenital malformations that includes the partial or total absence of the iris.

 

The researchers found that Ataluren, taken in the form of eye drops, restored the vision of mice with this malformation. The anomaly is caused by a genetic mutation that interrupts with the production of a protein essential to eye development. Ataluren seems to short-circuit this mutation, thus restarting the production of the protein.

                                                                                         

At first, the researchers believed that Ataluren would work only during pregnancy in order to prevent the disease from showing up in the fetus. However, they came to see that the drug, administered to two-week-old babies as eye drops, reversed the damage caused by the disease.

                      

“We were amazed to see how malleable the eye is after birth,” said Cheryl Gregory-Evans, associate professor of ophthalmology. “This holds promise for treating other eye conditions caused by nonsense mutations, including some types of macular degeneration. And if it reverses damage in the eye, it raises the possibility of a cure for other congenital disorders.”

 

Source:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131220143230.htm