Researchers at Duke University, in North Carolina, are closer to identifying gene mutations associated with severe nearsightedness.

 

In a paper published in the American Journal of Human Genetics, the researchers singled out mutations in a gene that helps regulate copper and oxygen levels in eye tissue. The mutations predispose carriers to the more severe form of myopia.

 

“This is the first time a gene mutation for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic high-grade myopia in Caucasians has been discovered,” said senior author Terri Young. To accomplish this, Young and her team studied families in which this type of myopia was common. They identified mutations in the SCO2 gene found in family members who had myopia, but absent in other family members. They then discovered 4 mutations in this gene in 140 other nearsighted people.

 

According to Young, these findings suggest that a copper deficiency could predispose people to develop myopia.

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130502131710.htm#

Google recently released its technical specifications for its augmented reality eyewear, while making it clear that consumers will have to be patient for a little longer than planned before seeing the device on the market.

 

We now know that Google Glass will include a high-resolution display that is the equivalent of a 25-inch high-definition screen from eight feet away, a camera that takes 5-megapixel photos and video at 720 pixels, and 12 GB of memory, synchronized with a “cloud” service to store 16 additional gigabytes, in addition to WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Google urges consumers to be patient, however. People will have to wait a little while longer for the eyewear, which was supposed be on the market in 2013.

 

In the meantime, competition in Asia is growing. We already knew that Sony was working on its own augmented reality project. However, now Baidu, a Chinese search engine that has more hits than Google in China, is also working on a similar product. Its Baidu Eyes are said to be very similar to Google Glass, featuring an LCD display and voice control capability, as well as image and facial recognition technologies. The device is presently in the testing phase and there has been no indication as to when they might be available on the market.

Sources: https://support.google.com/glass/answer/3064128?hl=en

http://www.shinyshiny.tv/2013/04/google_glass_no.html

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/sony-patent-reveals-dual-lens-google-glass-rival

http://www.acuite.fr/articles.asp?REF=8488

Wearing an eye patch six hours a day instead of two hours is much more effective after a 10-week period. Now to convince the children…

 

Researchers from the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator (PEDI) group tested this strategy in 167 children whose amblyopia failed to improve after 12 weeks of two hours daily eye patching. After comparing a group that continued to wear the patch two hours a day with another group that wore the patch six hours a day, the researchers found significant differences. The visual acuity in 75% of children in the second group improved two lines or more on a standard test (with glasses).

 

The study shows that more eye patch time improves visual acuity. “Instead of starting with two hours and increasing, you could say if we want to achieve the optimum outcome in the shortest possible time, let’s start with a higher dose in the first place,” said Dr. Alistair Fielder, from City University, London.

Source: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/802876

 

During Vision Health Month, CNIB and Doctors of Optometry Canada have launched a new vision health awareness campaign.

 

Good vision is not necessarily synonymous with healthy vision. That’s the message the two organizations are trying to get across. “Since many eye conditions have no symptoms in the early stages, it’s possible to have excellent vision and still be diagnosed with one,” explains Keith Gordon, CNIB vice president of research.

 

CNIB’s goal is to reduce the number of people who needlessly lose their sight each year by 50% by the year 2020. That’s 22,500 people whose sight could be saved every year. In May, the organization is increasing its efforts to reach people with a clear message: get an eye exam from an optometrist!

 

CNIB is also holding a fundraising campaign called the Toonie Campaign. Participating optometrists will donate $2 to CNIB from every eye exam they conduct in May. The funds raised will go towards CNIB’s services for people who are blind or partially sighted.

Source: http://visionhealthmonth.cnib.ca/

 

The popular video game Tetris may help treat adult amblyopia, according to researchers at McGill University.

 

The usual treatment for this disorder involves covering the stronger eye to force the weaker eye to work. This approach has proven only partially effective in children, and has had little impact on amblyopia in adults. The McGill researchers focussed instead on forcing both eyes to cooperate in accomplishing given tasks.

 

The research participants were given special video goggles that displayed the game differently in each lens. “One eye was allowed to see only the falling objects, and the other eye was allowed to see only the ground plane objects,” explained Dr. Robert Hess. The researchers were convinced that this cooperative effort would improve vision in the lazy eye by increasing the level of plasticity in the brain and allowing this eye to relearn.

 

After two weeks, compared to patients playing Tetris the traditional way, patients using Dr. Hess’s method showed dramatic improvements in their vision and depth perception.

 

Source: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130422122953.htm