A team of researchers at MIT has developed a prototype eye test that could revolutionize eye care in underdeveloped nations. While the eye test won’t do away with the need for eye doctors, it will make it easier for people to get the proper prescription from agencies which offer donated glasses.

This new test is called the Near-Eye Tool for Refractive Assessment (NETRA for short). The person will look through an eyepiece at two lines on the cellphone screen. One line is red and the other one is green. If these lines are aligned, then the person’s vision is fine. If, however, the lines are not aligned, the person click’s on the phone’s arrow buttons until the red and the green line come together. This is repeated with the lines at different angles and the number of times the person has to click determines how their eyes focus the best. The software within the cellphone then deciphers the results into what corrective lenses the person needs.

While further testing is slated for this fall, it is hoped that the test will go to market in six months. Researchers are excited about the possibility of transforming the lives of those in underdeveloped nations and making eye care more accessible to them.

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

While the majority of people are aware of skin damage that can result from unprotected exposure to the sun, very few know about the harmful effects that ultraviolet light can have on the eye. Yet experts agree it is critical to protect the eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation using hats and sunglasses.

In the short term, UV light can lead to inflammation of the cornea and/or the conjunctiva. While this inflammation usually subsides, long-term UV exposure can lead to cumulative eye damage that is reflected in a number of conditions.

For example, abnormal growth of the conjunctiva, known as pterygium, may develop causing partial blockage of vision by obstructing the cornea. It is also believed that cataract formation is correlated with UV exposure. More severe eye diseases may develop as well, such as cancer and retina damage in the form of macular degeneration. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to wear sunglasses that effectively protect the eyes from ultraviolet rays.

Consumers are advised to purchase glasses that absorb 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation. Moreover, ultraviolet radiation is not limited to direct sunlight, as reflections from metal, snow, or other surfaces can also inflict eye damage. Sunglasses should be worn at all times in the presence of bright light. *

Brian Krawitz
Staff Writer

By inserting an artificial collagen implant into the eye, scientists have developed a way for a person’s own natural corneal cells to regrow and thus restore vision. This is a revolutionary step toward developing an alternative to standard cornea transplants which aren’t widely available in some parts of the world due to a shortage of donated cadaver corneas.

The cornea is the clear film-like covering of the surface of the eye. The cornea helps the eye focus light and is delicate and easily harmed by infection or injury. Annually, around 42,000 people in the United States receive corneal transplants. The United States has an adequate supply of donated corneas but transplants do bring a risk of rejection and require steroid eyedrops, sometimes indefinitely.

Scientists took human collagen grown in yeast and then molded it into a contact lens-looking shape for a cornea. This bioartificial cornea was then placed in 10 patients with severe vision loss from damage to a corneal layer. The damaged tissue was removed in one eye and replaced with the bioartificial cornea. Scientists then noted that cells that normally line a healthy cornea began to grow in the collagen, tear production resumed and corneal nerves began to grow. Unlike a standard corneal transplant, no immune-suppressing medication was needed and there was no rejection of the implant.

While researchers are excited about this new technology, larger studies are needed and the therapy can hopefully be extended to include a wider range of vision loss. Full-thickness damage to the endothelial cells of the cornea are harder to treat than upper-layer corneal problems.*

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

Eyecare professionals are warning against the latest craze found in “circle” contacts as worn by pop starlet Lady Gaga in her “Bad Romance” video. While the circle lenses are illegal to sell in the United States, they can be purchased online and more and more teenagers are hopping on board the fashion bandwagon.

The circle lens gives the wearer a childlike, doe-eyed appearance much like the characters in Japanese anime. Young women see the lenses as being as necessary as lipstick or mascara in their everyday beauty routine.

Web sites which sell the circle lenses are not FDA-approved and these web sites do not bother to verify customers’ prescriptions with their eye doctors. As a result, customers can order any prescription strength. Such carelessness with a person’s vision can lead to eye injuries and even blindness. Ill-fitting contact lenses can deprive the eyes of oxygen and cause serious vision problems.*

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

One bottle is for swimming pool chemistry and contains hydrochloric acid.

…The other one is a prescription eyedrop for glaucoma.

But say both of them are on the kitchen counter, and you’ve had a rotten, harried day. Further suppose that you don’t have your reading glasses on and you know it’s time to take your prescription glaucoma eyedrops so that your eye pressure stays under control and doesn’t cause any further damage to your optic nerve. (See http://www.visivite.com/glaucoma.html and http://www.eye-surgeons.net/glaucoma-news.html).

Now take a closer look…

They’re both similarly-shaped bottles. The FDA mandates that beta-blocker eyedrops such as levobunalol must have a yellow bottle cap. Funny…the pool testing bottle also has a yellow cap.

Think you could do the same?

My lovely female patient from this afternoon was embarrassed and flabbergasted that she made this mistake.

But any one of us could have done the same, don’t you agree?

Paul Krawitz, M.D, President
Vitamin Science, Inc.