A new technique, developed by scientists at ARC Vision Centre and Australian National University (ANU), can quantify damage caused by serious eye diseases.

Called multifocal pupillography, the method involves monitoring minute responses of the eye's pupil to light signals in different parts of the patient's visual field.

ARC Vision Centre and Australian National University (ANU) researchers led by Ted Maddess and Andrew James are pioneering this area of study for painless detection and monitoring of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.

The technique relies on a feedback loop of nerve signals, which flow from each eye to the brain and back again to both pupils of the eyes by a secondary pathway, Maddess explains.

In our research we have been trying to localise the responses of the pupil to particular places across the visual field and hence, the eye's retina, said Maddes.

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Artificial implants better than Laser Surgery

The UK's Guardian reported that, according to research published in the May issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, artificial lenses implanted inside the eye may be safer than laser surgery when it comes to improving short sightedness.

After performing a literature review of studies involving laser surgery or implantation of phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) for the treatment of myopia, researchers from the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London found that both operations worked equally well to improve people's vision. The proportion of people who had 20/20 vision without wearing glasses, one year after surgery, was the same.




Implantation of phakic IOLs involves the insertion of a thin plastic lens inside the eye, either behind the pupil or in front of the iris, as opposed to laser surgery in which part of the cornea is cut away. Both operations work in the same way, however, changing how light enters the eye, bringing images into focus in the right place. The review examined the results from three trials, involving 132 patients, comparing the two types of operations.

MedPage Today reported, Safety, expressed in terms of loss of lines from pretreatment, best-corrected visual acuity, showed statistically significant differences in favor of IOLs for two of four outcomes. The review's authors suggested that phakic IOLs are safer than excimer laser surgical correction for moderate to high myopia in the range of -6.0 to -20.0 diopters [D], and phakic IOLs are preferred by patients, They added, While phakic IOLs might be accepted clinical practice for higher levels of myopia (greater than or equal to 7.0 D of myopic spherical equivalent with or without astigmatism), it may be worth considering phakic IOL treatment over excimer laser correction for more moderate levels of myopia.

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Phakic IOLs May Be Safer Than Laser Surgery For Myopia

The UK's Guardian reported that, according to research published in the May issue of the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, artificial lenses implanted inside the eye may be safer than laser surgery when it comes to improving short sightedness.

After performing a literature review of studies involving laser surgery or implantation of phakic intraocular lenses (IOLs) for the treatment of myopia, researchers from the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London found that both operations worked equally well to improve people's vision. The proportion of people who had 20/20 vision without wearing glasses, one year after surgery, was the same.




Implantation of phakic IOLs involves the insertion of a thin plastic lens inside the eye, either behind the pupil or in front of the iris, as opposed to laser surgery in which part of the cornea is cut away. Both operations work in the same way, however, changing how light enters the eye, bringing images into focus in the right place. The review examined the results from three trials, involving 132 patients, comparing the two types of operations.

MedPage Today reported, Safety, expressed in terms of loss of lines from pretreatment, best-corrected visual acuity, showed statistically significant differences in favor of IOLs for two of four outcomes. The review's authors suggested that phakic IOLs are safer than excimer laser surgical correction for moderate to high myopia in the range of -6.0 to -20.0 diopters [D], and phakic IOLs are preferred by patients, They added, While phakic IOLs might be accepted clinical practice for higher levels of myopia (greater than or equal to 7.0 D of myopic spherical equivalent with or without astigmatism), it may be worth considering phakic IOL treatment over excimer laser correction for more moderate levels of myopia.

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A great series of tutorials

Here is a video that describes the theory and practical use of Goldman Tonometry. Excellent resource for pre-testing staff and for students.

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Monday Humor

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Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension May Cause Vision Loss

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, is an unexplained buildup of fluid in the brain that pushes on the optic nerve, often causing headaches, vision loss, or even blindness. Some people with the condition may report visual problems, nausea, and tinnitus.

Interestingly, the majority of patients who develop pseudotumor cerebri are obese, although the link is not well understood. Dr. Steve Roach, chief of neurology and vice chair of pediatrics at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio is part of a team of doctors who opened up the first center dedicated to treating children with pseudotumor cerebri.

IIH can be controlled by weight loss and medication. To slow the loss of vision, a procedure called optic nerve fenestration can be done; which leaves a small window in the sheath of the optic nerve to release pressure.

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How do blind people ski?

Visually impaired ski racer Danelle D'Aquanni Umstead:

My guide, Rob, always will ski in front so he can tell me what is coming up in the course, and what I may feel as we are skiing down it. We wear headsets that are an open line of communication between the two of us. This allows Rob to continue speaking to me and coaching me as we race down

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Latino Americans Have Higher Rates Of Blindness, Diabetic Eye Disease, Cataracts

According to four papers published in the May issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, "Latino Americans have higher rates of visual impairment, blindness, diabetic eye disease, and cataracts than whites in the United States."

In analyzing data from more than 4,600 participants in the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES), researchers found that the Latinos' rates of visual impairment and blindness were the highest of any ethnic group in the country, compared to other US studies of different populations.

"These data have significant public health implications and present a challenge for eye care providers to develop programs to address the burden of eye disease in Latinos," Dr. Paul A. Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute, said in the news release.

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