Vision

Role of fats and oils in vision care

The balance of fats and oils in your diet can affect your vision, according to a new study. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a currently untreatable disease of the eye causing fuzziness, shadows and severe visual impairment. As the name suggests, it gets worse with age and diet has been implicated in its development. // Researchers at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary c...

Genes for Vision discovered

Harvard Medical School researchers have discovered nearly all the genes responsible for vision, which could help in diagnosing and treating blinding diseases.Macular degeneration affects 20 per cent of people over age 75. Discovery of the full set of photoreceptor genes expressed int he retinal cells, which was made in mice, could also lead to new methods for preserving and restoring the vision o...

Watching television for long hours could lead to agressiveness

Researchers claim that children who watch television for long hours are more likely to be agitated.The research was carried out by Jeffrey Johnson, of Columbia University// and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. His team tracked more than 700 children through adolescence to adulthood. They found that those who had watched one or more hours of television a day appeared much more...

Body mass index guide needs revision

Based on a research on aborigines in solitary parts of Australia suggest that the healthy limit on body mass index might be lower than previously thought. The body mass index (BMI) is calculated by dividing your mass in kilograms by your height in metres, squared.// Till now a BMI between 20-25 was considered to be the healthy range, while 25 to 30 is overweight, and over 30, obese. Health risks...

Putting cancer risk with a vision

Researchers at the University of Dartmouth studied the risk of getting cancer. A set of simple risk charts could help people put in perspective their risk of dying from cancer, smoking, and other diseases and conditions. The four charts track separate categories:// Women who have never smoked, women who are current smokers, men who have never smoked, and men who are current smokers. Ea...

Risk Factors for vision problems in Diabetes

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common disorder seen in diabetics. New research shows several factors that may contribute to whether a person with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy,// a major cause of blindness for people with diabetes. In the United States, diabetes is responsible for 7 percent of legal blindness, making it the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 22 to 70 yea...

A revision in iron and folic acid guidelines for children: Doctors urge

According to doctors it is imperative that global guidelines for giving iron and folic acid supplements to young children should be revised. The reason is// that since they might be dangerous for some youngsters. This important aspect was brought forth by researchers from the United States and Tanzania. They called for the rethink after discovering that the supplements can cause severe...

Watching television linked to smoking

In the United States smoking is the leading preventable cause of death. Turning off the television could prevent young people from smoking. A new study finds the more an adolescent watches television, the more likely they are to start smoking. //The risk of disease increases the earlier in life one starts to smoke. About 5 million adolescents smoke and that number has been increasing since 1990....

Vision loss could result due to MSG

A recent study which was published in the Experimental Eye Research journal cautioned that Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), which is used in flavouring oriental and processed foods could result in vision loss due to retina// injury. Glutamate is an amino acid which acts as a neurotransmitter, a chemical that sends signals between nerve cells. The findings were published following a study w...

Televisions ruling baby's world!

A new research by psychologists at the Tufts University in Boston has revealed that children as young as 12 months old are influenced by emotions displayed on television. They also use emotional information picked up from adults around them to make decisions. Donna Mumme, assistant professor of psychology at Tufts University, and her team tested //babies, showing actors reacting on a v...

Preventing Vision Loss

A simple vitamin supplement could significantly reduce the number of people with vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, finds a new study.// AMD, which is caused by a deterioration of the retina, is the number one cause of blindness among older people. A couple of years ago, researchers conducted a large study to see if a combination of the antioxidant vitamins C, E...

Preventing Vision Loss

A simple vitamin supplement could significantly reduce the number of people with vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, finds a new study.// AMD, which is caused by a deterioration of the retina, is the number one cause of blindness among older people. A couple of years ago, researchers conducted a large study to see if a combination of the antioxidant vitamins C, E...

Prevention of Vision Loss

AMD, which is caused by a deterioration of the retina, is the number one cause of blindness among older people. A simple vitamin supplement could significantly // reduce the number of people with vision loss from age-related macular degeneration, or AMD, finds a new study. A couple of years ago, researchers conducted a large study to see if a combination of the antioxidant vitamins C,...

Vision Loss Due To Diabetic Retinopathy a Major Cause Of Concern

Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of vision loss among adults. About 22 percent to 36 percent of all diabetics // in the United States and Australia suffer from the condition. Vision impairment caused by the disease often leads to dependency in activities of daily living, social isolation, and reduced physical activity.When the visual acuity in the better eye drops below 20/40, many patien...

Ruboxistaurin (RBX) may prevent vision loss in diabetic patients

Phase III clinical trial of Ruboxistaurin (RBX) at a concentration of 32 milligrams/day// was found to inhibit Protein kinase C (PKC) – beta inhibitor, which was found to cause vision loss in patients with diabetes. The study was conducted in 252 patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes by the Research team of Joslin Diabetes Centre across United States, Canada, Denmark, Netherlands and...

New form of ultrasonic vision

A ‘SONIC flashlight’ developed by a biomedical engineer at the University of Pittsburgh makes the human body seem translucent right in front of your eyes. The prototype device merges the visual outer surface of the patient’s skin with a live ultrasound scan of what lies beneath. It creates the effect of a translucent ultrasound image floating in its actual 3D location with the patient, showing bl...

Lasik surgery effective in correcting vision

LASIK (Laser in Situ Keratomilensis), is the most widely performed laser vision correction today. It is effective in correcting short sightedness (Myopia), farsightedness (Hyperopia) and even astigmatism. The procedure is performed in an out-patient surgery center,// using a special piece of equipment called Exlimer laser. You may be a good candidate for lasik if you meet the following...

Natural formula for protection against vision loss

The eyes of a human being are one of the most exquisite pieces of engineering in the whole human anatomy. However, as we age, the eyes become vulnerable to a debilitating degeneration as a result of the parts wearing out or breaking down, which ultimately might lead to blindness. These parts have to be kept from wearing out to help us attain a healthy eyesight// for a lifetime. This, researchers...

Sugar Helps Control Cell Division

Johns Hopkins scientists have discovered that a deceptively simple sugar is in fact a critical regulator of cells' natural life cycle.// The discovery reveals that, when disturbed, this process could contribute to cancer or other diseases by failing to properly control the steps and timing of cell division, the researchers say. The sugar, known as O-GlcNAc (pronounced oh-...

Impotence drug such as Viagra may cause Vision Loss

Impotence drug such as Viagra use is linked to development of vision disorders. It is found that 19% of people with// vision disorders have used Viagra medicines. It is found that it contains three phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors which is found to cause risk of blindness. Men most at risk for the vision loss are those older than 50 who have diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and h...

Vision Loss in Elderly Caused By Combined Effect of Genes and Bacterium

A definitive link has been established between age-related macular degeneration and the genetic mechanisms underlying the disease process. The finding has been confirmed by the identification of a bacterium //called Chlamydia pneumoniae in the diseased tissue of the affected individuals. It is also notable that the microorganism is associated with chronic inflammation and heart disease....

Is it ok to let kids watch too much of television?

A recent study done to evaluate the current trend of young children regarding television viewing has provided some alarming results, with nearly 60 percent of kids younger than age two watching more than an hour of TV a day. //The hours of TV watching is also consistently high amongst 3 to 5 year olds who watch TV for an average of two hours or more. If you are under the impression that...

Colorblind Individuals have expanded color vision

Deuteranamolous patients suffer from color blindness due to X-chromosome variations, which make them unable to differentiate between colors but have an increased sensitivity to differentiate two color dimensions//, which are unable to be differentiated by normal persons. The results of these studies carried out by Professor John Mollon and colleagues, University of Cambridge had been published in...

Television soaps showing unrealistic coma survival and recovery

British Medical Journal reports that television soaps or serials give a false picture about coma survival and recovery rates in coma patients. Researchers compiled 10 years data of sufferings felt // by coma patients and found that the rate of survival and recovery shown in television soaps is not true as the study show that only 8% of coma patients in soaps died during coma for instance, compar...

Glaucoma Could Cause Vision Loss In 60 Million People By 2010

Glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness, worldwide would affect 60 million by 2010 and an alarming 80 million by the end of 2020, // based on a projection in the British Journal of Ophthalmology. Asians, more specifically Indians and Africa would be the worst affected by the disabling eye disease. Infact Asians would account for more than half of all glaucoma cases by then. Six...

Parental Supervision Reduces Likelihood of Teenagers Having Sex in the Afternoon

A new study which is to appear in the March issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health has found that teen sex is not only a result of unsupervised afternoons, but is actually a more complex behavior.// Researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine Adolescent Medicine conducted a study of 106 adolescent girls aged between 14 to 18 years and tracked them through annual questionnaires and...

Direct To Home: Television Provides Powerful Fillip to Smoking Cessation Campaigns.

American Journal of Preventive Medicine has weighed the impact of advertisements that carry an anti-smoking message, with other types of cessation help -nicotine // replacement therapy (NRT), prescribed medications, professional help or advice, self-help materials, cessation programs, telephone quit line, or web-based cessation sites. The study has revealed that television advertisement...

Self Harm Under Supervision

In a unique investigation being conducted by the St George's Hospital, Stafford, people who self-harm are being allowed to do it//, but under supervision. Patients can cut themselves, but are also offered alternatives like holding ice cubes or wearing tight elastic bands. "We have a duty of care, but there is a difference between that and taking a Big Brother approach," said nurse Chris...

Researchers Reverse Cell Division

US researchers have found a way to reverse the process of cell division. This process was initially thought to be unstoppable. This finding could be an important milestone in the fight// against cancer, in which cells divide uncontrollably. Researchers from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation have published their findings in the journal Nature. Cell division occurs about a million...

Australian Kids High On Television And Low On Sleep

A new study has now found that young boys in Australia spend more than a one-third of their waking hours, in front of the TV and as a consequence face an increased risk of sleep disorder//, obesity and other behavioral problems. The study was conduced on nearly 1000 boys between the age of 10 to 13. Alarmingly, the study found that these boys on an average spend four hours watching...

Provisional Fees For Medical Courses Fixed By Punjab Government

The provisional fees for admittance into various medical courses offered by unaided medical institutions have been fixed by the medical education and research department// of the Punjab government. The courses include MBBS, BDS, BHMS, BAMS and other similar medical and paramedical courses. Representatives of medical institutions and students have also been invited for a consultation reg...

PharmaVentures Exploits Fastest Growing Media Channel to Launch First Pharmaceutical Business Television Show

PharmaVentures today announces the launch of a brand new internet-based television show//: PharmaVentures Business Review. Dr Fintan Walton, CEO, PharmaVentures, says, ‘This show, the first in a monthly series, provides viewers across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors with insightful analysis and debate covering major transactions and industry trends. It gives exclusive...

UV Rays Affects the Power of Vision

According to the recent survey which was conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata it was shocking to realize that many people are not aware of the harmful effects of ultra-violet (UV) rays. // The results are that about 85% of the people in Mumbai are unaware that UV rays affect the eyes. About 73% of the people do not go in for a regular eye check-up. It is also found that peop...

Division Among Delegates To Dilute UN's AIDS Plans: Activists

As diplomats lock horns over the declaration to be issued after today's UN meet on AIDS, activists and victims fear the outcome will fail to effectively contain the epidemic that has claimed 25 million lives so far.// Hours before the declaration is to be issued, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan asked diplomats not to negotiate away gains made in an earlier declaration in 2001. <b...

Aids Seems More Prevalent Among Goan’s – Governor Visiond

Lifestyle patterns of Goan’s can be the main cause for HIV/AIDS spread – says Governor, Mr S C Jamir. People should follow the Government policies // and initiatives to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS, Governor adds. Many labourers who got jobs in Goa, since it has been a favourite tourist spot, bring with them the dreadful virus (HIV) when they arrived – said Mr Jamir. <br...

Save your Vision with Fish Oil and Quitting Smoking

Recent research has revealed that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is twice as common in elderly smokers as nonsmokers. However it was also found // that those among the elderly who ate fish at least twice weekly are almost half as likely to have AMD than those who eat fish less than once a week. The study was conducted by Johanna Seddon, MD, and colleagues who work at the Massac...

Decline in Human Donor Eyes Affects Vision Research

A decline in the number of human donor eyes provided for ophthalmology research by U.S. eye banks may have a negative impact on clinical ophthalmology// , according to an article published in the July issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science. “Nowhere do impediments to obtaining human eyes for research have more impact than in the effort to understand age-related macular...

Bausch & Lomb Launches New Vision Correction Technology

Bausch and Laumb today launched a new vision correction technology, Zyoptix Aspheric, which reduces post-Lasik surgery sight distortions. // "There are 60 clinics all across India which use Zyoptix technology to treat eye ailments. The technology can be upgraded to Zyoptix Aspherix which further reduces post Lasik surgery glare, halos and night vision problems," Bausch and Lomb India...

Finally, light at the end of the tunnel for those suffering tunnel vision

Boston: U.S. scientists at Harvard Medical School's Schepens Eye Research Institute are optimistic about a visual device that may prove a boon// to people with tunnel vision. During a study to gauge the success rate of the high-tech device, researchers found that there was a marked increase in the way the visually impaired were able to place their finger on objects. This contrapti...

MedRP International Signs MoU with Kochi Based Info Vision

MedRP International, a medical staffing firm providing healthcare professionals to the medical community throughout the US, Monday entered into an agreement with// Kochi based InfoVision IELTS Training Center. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the company's Asia-Pacific Operations, vice president Peter Deane and P.M. Shaji of InfoVision, at a function held at th...