"Novel cause" for Glaucoma Discovered

"Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered a novel cause of glaucoma in an animal model, and related to their findings, are now developing an eye drop aimed at curing the disease. They believe their findings will be important to human glaucoma," reports Medical News Today. "A cure for glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in the U.S., has been elusive because the basis of the disease is poorly understood. ...The new study for the first time identifies the molecular building blocks needed to make the 'drainage' vessels, providing the necessary chemical tools to repair the eye's plumbing and restore normal drainage. Up until now, the molecular basis of the disease caused by an absent or defective canal was unknown. The study was published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation." Read more.

Eye Health Improving for Elderly, Getting Worse for Boomers?

"Today's senior citizens are reporting fewer visual impairment problems than their counterparts from a generation ago, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study," notes Medical News Today. "Improved techniques for cataract surgery and a reduction in the prevalence of macular degeneration may be the driving forces behind this change, the researchers said. 'From 1984 until 2010, the decrease in visual impairment in those 65 and older was highly statistically significant,' said Angelo P. Tanna, M.D., first author of the study. 'There was little change in visual impairments in adults under the age of 65.'" Read more from this MNT post.


A June 20, 2012, post notes the report from Prevent Blindeness America, indicating a rise in eye health problems for Baby Boomers. See the post.