Today is Halloween! If you are planning on dressing up and your costume includes fun-looking contact lenses, please consider the risks. The Association of Optometrists warns that costume contact lenses can hurt people’s eyes and even cause blindness. Research shows that fun contact lenses are poor quality and are more likely to carry harmful bacteria.“Firstly, cosmetic contact lenses are more difficult to clean and sterilise because of the materials they are made of and the pigments which colour them, said Optometric Advisor Lynda McGivney Nolan, for the Association of Optometrists Ireland. “The second major risk is that the lenses are not fitted by a registered practitioner, so adherence to safe insertion and removal are often not practised, resulting in a very high level of complications.”
If you or a loved one are living with blindness, then SDCB can help. Our programs help the visually impaired regain their sense of independence.
“Irish eye experts warn against using cosmetic Halloween contact lenses due to ‘high level of complications’”
Genetic eye diseases disrupt the lives of one or two people out of every 10,000. Lea Bennett is a researcher studying the genetic causes of blindness; together with eye surgeon Dr. Sun Young Lee, she is opening a clinic for patients living with inherited conditions that eventually result in blindness. The recent FDA approval of Luxturna, a drug used to treat one form of inherited eye disease, gives hope that other genetic mutations that cause blindness could someday have a treatment option.
Cassandra Foster, 47, is the author and publisher of "The Blind Gift;" a book which recounts her experience living with retinitis pigmentosa. The rare disorder damages cells in the retina which causes blindness. Her goal wasn’t just to tell a good story; she wanted to accomplish something. Despite her vision loss, Foster leads a remarkable life!
White Cane Day celebrates people living with blindness! However, the observance is often used as an opportunity to educate people about vision loss. At Garfield Elementary in Washington State, students walked around with canes to get a better understanding of what a day-in-the-life is like for six of their fellow students. Wearing blindfolds, the students also played beep kickball.
Many people understand that those who suffer a stroke are at risk of having a dropped face on one side and difficulty speaking; it is fair to say that the majority of individuals are unaware that strokes can affect vision. What’s more, stroke-related vision problems can be hard to treat, according to the Royal National Institute for Blind People (RNIB). Stroke victims can have field of vision deficiencies; it can be hard to see either left or right.
Having regular eye exams is a proactive way to prevent or address common eye diseases; an eye specialist in an office usually conducts such procedures. In the age of the internet, it’s possible to do online vision screenings for determining if you need corrective lenses. However, such processes are not a substitute for eye exams administered by ophthalmologists. What is more, the American Optometric Association (AOA) puts forth that online screenings are known to provide faulty information.
Findings published in Nature Medicine reveal positive takeaways from a gene therapy trial for choroideremia, a genetic cause of blindness. Among the 14 participants in the trial, the entire group showed a significant gain in vision. Patients were treated with an injection to the eye that contained a virus hosting the missing gene. Of the 12 patients that had no complications, 100% either gained or maintained vision for at least five years (the time of the last follow up).
Generally speaking, babies born prematurely are at a heightened risk of experiencing health problems; and, in some cases, they can be severe. A joint study between researchers in Sweden and the United States reveals that preemies with low levels of platelets in their blood have a much higher risk of developing a harsh variation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The condition often leads to blindness.
Some 13 million people in the U.S. could be struggling with low vision! A partnership between Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) and Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) will continue in the RPB/LCIF Low Vision Research Award. The organizations will grant one award of $300,000 each year in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The research grants are part of a commitment to end infectious blindness, reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
Visiting the chiropractor is a routine experience for many Americans, but in some cases the results are hardly routine. In fact, forceful manipulation of a person’s neck can result in severe injury, including vision loss. Yannis Paulus, M.D., a retina specialist at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, suggests that people inform their physicians before seeing chiropractors and consider how high-velocity neck manipulation can stress the eyes.
Diet is believed to play a role in the development of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. A large study conducted by researchers in Europe found that individuals who stick to a Mediterranean diet reduce their risk of AMD significantly—41 percent. The findings of the research can be reviewed in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 
Adonis Watt lost his eyesight at the age of 5, the result of rare congenital glaucoma. Adonis decided that he would not let his vision loss prevent him from being an athlete like the rest of his family members. The freshman running back dreams of one day being a force to reckon with in the NFL. Watt has undergone several procedures to improve his vision, but it’s possible that the condition could correct itself.
A growing number of patients are being diagnosed with a rare eye infection that can cause blindness. Research appearing in the British Journal of Ophthalmology shows that some people who wear contact lenses are at risk of exposure to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a microscopic amoeba that infects the cornea. The amoebas are often found in water; people who rinse their lenses with water rather than solution are at a heightened risk. The infection is more common in the U.K.
In the next two decades the number of diabetes cases around the world is expected to increase by 50 percent. The rise means that a staggering amount of people are at risk of severe health conditions, including blindness. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded a $2.8 million grant to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) to aid in the discovery of new treatments for diabetic blindness.
A Las Vegas mother plans to tackle a marathon this November. While plenty of moms attempt and complete such feats, Terri Rupp intends to cross the finish line despite living with blindness. Rupp, a mother to two and the president of the National Federation of the Blind of Nevada, was diagnosed at roughly five years old with optic nerve atrophy, an often progressive disease that damages the nerve connecting the eyes to the brain, and causes blindness. The condition is incurable.
Lifelong Atlanta Braves fan Katie Hearn started losing her eyesight at 28. Thanks to her dogged determination Hearn was able to hit a home run, scoring a job with the baseball team she loves. Katie was diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, a rare disorder that leads to blindness. Despite her impairment, she’s got a dream job in the social media department for the Braves.
It is no secret that sighted men and women take what seems like the simplest things for granted, such as choosing the color or brand of a particular item. The same goes for grocery shopping, deciding on Folgers Coffee over Maxwell House is easy even though they both come in practically the same packaging. Now the visually impaired can receive assistance in exercising discretion at the grocery store aided by an app service known as Aira. Blind shoppers at Wegmans, at nearly 100 stores in six states, can use the service which connects the user to a live operator who instructs the shopper on what they are looking at via the smartphone camera.
Shortly after her birth, actor and writer Anna Shiels-McNamee’s father lost his vision. Retinitis Pigmentosa left her father living with blindness, a reality that would impact Shiels-McNamee’s life significantly. She is hopeful that her performance will help raise awareness about those who are living with disabilities and lead to greater dialogue.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye disease that afflicts more than 9 million Americans - millions more worldwide – and it often results in severe vision loss. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that the number of people 50 and older with early-stage AMD will nearly double to 17.8 million in the United States by 2050. Several companies have developed or are developing treatments to keep the condition from progressing. Such therapies could help with other diseases, as well.
Last week, ABC's "Good Morning America" announced the contestants in this coming season of "Dancing With the Stars." Now, you may be wondering what ballroom dancing has to do with vision loss; the answer, one of the contestants in this year's competition, Danelle Umstead, lost her vision due to retinitis pigmentosa. Umstead is an American Alpine skier and Paralympian who won a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Paralympics.
Merle Caples is an Orioles’ fan and has been one for almost 60 years now. While she once watched the team play with her eyes, now her ears keep her head in the game. Despite Caples’ (95) blindness, she still follows her team diligently. On September 18, 2018, in honor of Caples’ steadfast dedication and other fans living with vision loss, the Orioles will host National Federation of the Blind Night. During the occasion, Orioles players and coaches will wear jerseys with their names spelled in Braille.
A University of Michigan-AARP National Poll on Healthy Aging indicates that primary care providers (PCPs) could do more to promote eye care for people over the age of 50. The poll of 2,013 adults, ages 50 to 80, was conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, and it shows that 18 percent of respondents have not had their eyes checked in three years or more. Eye exams are one of the most effective methods of identifying eye disease and preventing vision loss. During Healthy Aging Month this September, Americans over 50 are encouraged to have their eyes checked.
Former art teacher, Ron Ferguson’s passion for painting, continues even though he is living with blindness. In an effort to keep track of each color of paint he is using, Ferguson created a paint bottle braille system. The technique allows him to identify primary colors, which then enables him to mix up other hues. His wife initially helps him identify each color so that he can label the bottles correctly.
After 82 days at sea, a 57-year-old blind man from South Brent, Devon, finished rowing across the Pacific Ocean with his teammate. The race began in Monterey, California, this June and was to be 2,400 miles to the finish line in Hawaii. However, severe weather conditions meant the pair would row approximately 3,000 miles before it was all over. Steve Sparkes is the first blind person to row across the world's biggest ocean.
Kim Janda, of the Scripps Research Institute, led the development of a new test for river blindness. The condition is the result of a parasitic tropical infection common in sub-Saharan Africa that affects more than 18 million people. The practical test for the disease does not require access to a laboratory; now the infection is diagnosable with a dipstick urine test. Research on the test appears in the journal ACS Infectious Diseases.
The STD syphilis may seem like a condition that no longer affects people; however, there is a marked rise in syphilis cases around the world. This is critical to organizations working with the blind, because people who are exposed are at risk of blindness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that occurrences in the United States have more than doubled from 2.1 cases per 100,000 people in 2000 to 5.3 cases per 100,000 in 2013. A study on the heightened risk of ocular syphilis appears in the journal Scientific Reports.
"When it rained, he had to sit in certain spots so the rain wouldn't pour in on him," said Mike Graham, about his neighbor's camper. "He had no running water, no heat, no nothing."
David Lai, spent the summer at Brevard Music Center honing his piano talent. Nobody can deny Lai’s skill, which he mastered even though he is living with blindness. Playing the piano has enabled Mr. Lai to traverse obstacles in his life since childhood. Lai’s vision loss stems from oxygen therapy at birth; he was born 10-weeks premature with underdeveloped lungs.
Researchers have found a method for reversing congenital blindness in mice. The technique involves changing cells in the retina – called Müller glia – into rod photoreceptors, light-sensitive cells which help people see in low light. The findings of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded study appear in the journal Nature.
Daria Finley is living with blindness because of glaucoma, but she has not let her condition hold her back, and she is trying things for the first time. Since going blind, Finley is modeling, she has acted in a short film, and she wrote a one-woman play about her experiences and was the star. Blindness can be the beginning of a new chapter in life, not the end of a person’s story.
New research presents evidence that glaucoma may be the result of the immune system deteriorating eye cells; the condition often leads to vision loss. Even though glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world, researchers know very little about the disease. The findings open “a new approach to prevent and treat glaucoma," says study author Jianzhu Chen, an MIT professor of biology.
Practically every American spends too much time on their digital devices. For many, the thought of life without a smartphone is surreal. While technology makes everyone’s life a little bit easier, a new study suggests that the blue light emitted from smartphones, laptops, and televisions can lead to macular degeneration and blindness. If the research holds true, we can all benefit from moderating our smartphone exposure.
The North Carolina Academy of Eye Physicians and Surgeons and the American Academy of Ophthalmology are observing Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month this August. The goal is to encourage parents to recognize the importance of vision and learning how to protect children's eyes for the future.
A team of researchers at the University of Utah discovered a single gene that influences the wing pattern of pigeons and human blindness. Variations in the gene mentioned above decide which of the four different feather patterns a pigeon will develop. The genetic research on pigeon wing patterns revealed a link to humans living with blindness.
Patrick Antaki, a former Olympian and defense contractor, is working on a device that helps older people living with blindness resulting from macular degeneration and diabetes. The Evergaze seeBoost helps the elderly see better, allowing users to sew, read or notice facial cues. seeBoost rests on a person's reading glasses and significantly magnifies what is in front of the wearer. 
There is a common belief that blind people experience heightened auditory and olfactory abilities, hearing and smell. However, a new study indicates that blind people have more of a challenge determining the location where sounds originate. The researchers found that such people needed additional timing cues to accurately decide the location of sounds played from a line of speakers. 
A new foreign film titled “Ya Veremos,” centers on a young boy named Santi who is going to have surgery that will either fix his visual impairment or result in permanent blindness. His parents ask the boy to make a list of all the things he would like to see before the big day, just in case the operation doesn’t go as planned. The film was released on August 3, 2018, and will be in American theaters on August 31.
Those living with macular degeneration can experience blurred vision or 'blind spots,' but a new virtual reality headset expands the user's peripheral vision and cancels out the blind spots. IrisVision relies on a Samsung Galaxy smartphone to record what the wearer sees and then it zooms in to make the blind spots disappear. The result: vision acuity goes from 20/400 to as high as 20/30. IrisVision was created by scientists at Johns Hopkins, The Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind, and UC Berkeley.
Do you like Indian food? If so, it may be that you are a fan of a colorful spice called turmeric. The bright orange powder has long been thought to have healing properties, and it turns out that it could prove beneficial for people living with blindness. More than 60 million people are living with deteriorating vision across the globe. New research suggests that the progression of vision loss in people with glaucoma could be slowed by administering eye-drops made from turmeric.
One of the planet’s premier keyboardists, composer, producer, and recording engineer has lived with macular degeneration since he was a young boy; but, blindness doesn't deter Rave Tesar! In fact, Rave started performing professionally by the age of 15 and was working full-time by 18. Tesar will be teaching a free master class on the keyboard with fellow musician Jason Miles on Sept. 30.
Researchers from Pakistan, USA, and the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, investigated a recessive genetic disorder that prevents the eyes from developing and leads to childhood blindness, and they believe they have found the cause. The research led to the discovery of pathogenic mutations in a new gene, MARK3. The findings, published in the journal Human Molecular Genetics, could lead to diagnostic services and personalized treatments for the blinding genetic disorder. 
This Fall, students in Roanoke City, Virginia, schools will undergo testing for color blindness, thanks to a local mother who states that Color Vision Deficiency could be a real problem in the classroom. Elizabeth Martin’s eldest son is diagnosed with color blindness. The condition makes doing classroom work a real challenge.
There are more than 4 million adults and nearly half-a-million children who are blind or have severely impaired vision in the United States. The Faster Treatments and Cures for Eye Diseases Act is a critical piece of legislation for everyone living with blindness and visual impairment. The bipartisan bill, if passed, will fund translational research, advanced treatments, and cures for blinding eye diseases.
What is the Braille Challenge? It is an academic competition for the blind or visually impaired; it was created to encourage students living with vision loss to master their braille literacy skills. Honing such skills can pay immensely for academia and employment. This month, Shianne Ramsey (8) competed as a finalist in the National Braille Challenge in Los Angeles. Thanks to Shianne’s hard work and dedication, she reads at a fifth-grade level even though she starts the third-grade this fall.
July is UV Safety Month, an excellent time to practice protecting your eyesight from the sun’s damaging rays. Many people are unaware of just how harmful ultraviolet rays are to the eyes; overexposure can result in cataracts, macular degeneration, and photokeratitis. Each of the above conditions can result in vision loss.
A new study suggests that people who undergo cataract surgery mitigate the risk of traffic accidents, according to a report published in JAMA Ophthalmology. The researchers found that after the operation, cataract surgery patients were 9 percent less likely to experience a car crash. However, Dr. Kevin Miller of the Stein Eye Institute and the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, says that not everybody with a cataract needs surgery or has a difficult time driving.
A study involving more than 2,000 Australian adults aged over 50 reveals that people who regularly eat oranges are less likely to develop macular degeneration. Researchers followed the participants for 15 years and found that the individuals who ate one serving of oranges per day, had more than a 60% reduced risk of developing late macular degeneration.
In the final days of June, California State Parks announced that the organization has begun rehabilitating the Three Senses Trail, or “Braille Trail.” Located at Calaveras Big Trees State Park, the Braille Trail was commissioned in 1976 for the blind and the visually impaired; the update will include the addition of new interpretive stations. The Arnold Lions Club and the Calaveras Big Trees Association (CBTA) are working with California State Parks on the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
Bobby Thomson’s “shot heard ‘round the world” home run in 1951, which won the New York Giants the pennant, was the last thing Ed Lucas remembers seeing before he lost his vision. While blindness was a setback for Lucas, he says it isn’t a handicap; since then, Ed became the first blind graduate of Seton Hall University. If that were not impressive enough of a resume, Lucas is the first father to win custody of children from a sighted wife. Ed Lucas has had 38 books published and has written more than 20,000 articles about baseball.
Living with visual impairments or blindness may slow down one’s life, but not to a full stop. A group of blind and visually impaired cyclists, “Team Sea to See,” took part in the 2018 Race Across America. The race takes riders from the West to the East in under nine days. The brave bike riders say, “I choose for my blindness to be an asset.”