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Clinical Trial Demonstrates Safety, Benefits of Bionic Eye

The results of the 3-year clinical trial of the Argus II retinal prosthesis system, a “bionic eye” developed by Second Sight Medical Products to return sight to patients blinded by retinitis pigmentosa, were published this week in the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

The Argus II system transmits images from a camera mounted on the patient’s glasses to a device implanted on the retina, allowing the brain to interpret patterns of light.

The trial involved 30 patients aged 28 to 77 over a three year period, all having little or no perception in both eyes.

89 percent of patients performed better on visual function results with the implant. Eleven patients experienced serious adverse effects soon after the implantation, which were successfully treated.

The Argus II is approved by Health Canada. The first Canadian patient was given the implant in June 2014.

Further information: http://www.aaojournal.org/pb/assets/raw/Health%20Advance/journals/ophtha/ophtha_8651.pdf

New from SKECHERS Eyewear 2015 Kids Collection

Marcolin USA presents the SKECHERS Eyewear 2015 Kids collection, which consists of ten new ophthalmic styles, features a youthful blend of refreshing and sporty accents, infused with the DNA of the SKECHERS brand. The collection is perfect for today’s boys and girls driven by brand awareness, the latest trends and in search of bling and fun color combinations.

Highlights from the girl’s collection include stud and stone embellishments, which playfully accent the denim-patterned finishes of the temples on models SE1569 and SE1570 crafted in acetate. A soft teacup silhouette in metal captures the front profile of model SE1569, while model SE1570 showcases a more retro rectangle front profile in acetate. The SKECHERS ‘S’ logo completes the look of this fun temple design.

The new optical styles for boys are designed for today’s active lifestyle incorporating sporty rubber accents and tech materials.  The addition of aluminum 180-degree spring hinged temples on models SE1092 and SE1093 provides flexibility, which is perfect for the on-the-go child. An epoxy-filled ‘SPX’ logo treatment adds a splash of color to the temples that are equipped with rubberized tips for added comfort and support.

New Discovery About Blink Rates

A study by English and Spanish researchers published in Nature Communications sheds new light on the mechanisms that control the blink rate.

The study found that the TRPM8 receptor, a protein which is activated by cold or chemicals that cause a cooling sensation such as menthol, is also responsible for regulating basal blinking rates in mice. The link between TRPM8 and ocular wetness was first proposed by the same research team in a 2010 paper in Nature Medicine.

In sufferers of dry eye, an increased salt concentration in tears can lead to elevated blinking rates and a decrease in the volume of the tear film, and understanding the receptors controlling blink rates could lead to new treatments combatting dry eye.

Further information: http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2015/150522/ncomms8150/full/ncomms8150.html

Intel Acquires Canadian Smart Eyewear Company Recon

Intel has completed its acquisition of the Vancouver-based company Recon Instruments, a manufacturer of smart, computerized eyewear for athletes.

Recon, founded in 2008, produces the intelligent glasses Jet™, with built-in GPS and motion tracking, and skiing goggles Snow2, which also contains an onboard camera.

Since becoming the CEO of Intel in 2013, Brian Krzanich has been committed to making Intel a player in wearable technologies. Intel’s New Technology Group has also collaborated with Luxottica’s Oakley brand to produce smart eyewear and recently announced the plans to release the Curie Module, a chip designed for use in wearable devices.

Further information: http://www.reconinstruments.com/2015/06/intel-acquires-recon-instruments/

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