New Atlas

Medical Audio available

Eye implant uses magnets to manage glaucoma

Ben Coxworth November 9, 2018

Glaucoma occurs when a blockage causes aqueous humor fluid to accumulate within the eye faster than it can drain out. This increases intraocular pressure, which can in turn damage the optic nerve, causing blindness. A new implant, however, may be particularly effective at reducing that pressure.

The implant is activated via externally-applied magnetic fields

Medical Audio available

MIT research points to autoimmune disease as the cause of glaucoma

Rich Haridy August 12, 2018

An exciting breakthrough has revealed a new hypothesis behind the cause of glaucoma, a common degenerative eye disease. The study found a high number of T-cells present in the retinas of those suffering from the disease, suggesting the condition may have a previously undetected autoimmune cause.

The body's own immune cells may be the culprit behind the slow retinal deterioration associated with ...

Health & Wellbeing

Degenerative eye diseases associated with Alzheimer's risk

Rich Haridy August 8, 2018

A study has found a correlation between some degenerative eye diseases and Alzheimer’s disease. No mechanism explaining the connection has been proposed but it is thought these eye conditions may help physicians identify patients at risk of developing Alzheimer’s before major symptoms appear.

Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma were all associated with a higher risk of developing ...

Medical

Eyemate glaucoma-monitoring implant hits the European market

Ben Coxworth August 3, 2018

In recent years, we've heard of at least two different implants designed to measure the intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients' eyes, potentially preventing blindness. Yet another such implant, this one known as Eyemate, recently became commercially available in Europe.

The current version of the Eyemate implant is less than 12 mm in diameter

Health & Wellbeing

Turmeric eye drops could spice up glaucoma treatment

Ben Coxworth July 25, 2018

Although glaucoma causes blindness by destroying retinal cells, research has shown that orally-ingested curcumin – a chemical derived from the spice turmeric – can help keep that from happening. Now, scientists are stating that newly-developed curcumin eye drops could be even more effective.

Turmeric contains a chemical known as curcumin, which has been shown to reduce glaucoma-related retinal cell ...

Science

Butterfly wings inspire a better eye implant

Ben Coxworth April 30, 2018

The transparent sections of the glasswing butterfly's wings barely reflect any light, which is why we've previously heard about them inspiring glare-free device screens. Now, their antireflective quality has led to an improvement in a glaucoma-monitoring eye implant.

Medical

GonioPEN promises faster, cheaper glaucoma diagnoses

Ben Coxworth April 5, 2018

In order to diagnose glaucoma, a device known as a gonioscope is most often used … and it has to be pressed against the patient's eyeball. That may not be necessary for much longer, however, thanks to a new pen-shaped camera called the GonioPEN.

The GonioPEN is now in the process of being commercialized

Science

Retinal cells imaged in living eyes

Ben Coxworth January 3, 2017

Scientists from the University of Rochester Medical Center have devised a non-invasive system of imaging retinal cells, and it could ultimately be used to catch conditions such as glaucoma before they lead to blindness.

A diagram showing how the retina (orange) receives images and sends them to the brain

Biology

Drug-dispensing contact lenses could battle a leading cause of blindness

Michael Franco August 30, 2016

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Eye drops can help alleviate symptoms and stall the onset of vision loss, but patients don't always comply. New contact lenses impregnated with medication could solve this problem and improve patient outcomes.

First author Joseph B. Ciolino, an ophthalmologist at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and an Assistant Professor ...

Medical

Eye pressure-monitoring implant could save glaucoma patients from blindness

Ben Coxworth August 27, 2014

Currently, people with glaucoma must have their internal optic pressure (the pressure within their eye) regularly checked by a specialist. A new implant, however, could make it possible for patients to check their own IOP as often as they like, using their smartphone.

The implant measures internal optic pressure, excessive amounts of which can lead to loss of vision ...