In Today's Email:

• Eye Safety Tips

• New Launches

• Clinical Trials

• Research Updates

• What else to Skim?

• And for a laugh

Eye Safety Tips

Eclipse Eyesight SOS: Don't Fry Your Eyes Watching the Sun!

So you want to catch a glimpse of a solar eclipse? Awesome! Eclipses are amazing cosmic events, but looking directly at the sun during one is a big mistake! It can seriously damage your eyes, kind of like staring straight into a light bulb for too long.

Here's how to keep your eyes safe during an eclipse:

• Special Shades Required: Regular sunglasses won't cut it. You'll need specially designed eclipse glasses (ISO 12312-2 compliant)) or a handheld solar viewer. These act like super-strong sunglasses, blocking harmful rays and keeping your eyes safe. Make sure they're certified to meet safety standards before you use them and toss any that are cracked or scratched.

• Binoculars and Telescopes Need Extra Protection: Thinking of using binoculars or a telescope to get a closer look? Hold on! These require special solar filters designed just for them. Using regular eclipse glasses with them won't protect your eyes.

• Brief Peek During Totality: During a total eclipse, there's a short time when the moon completely blocks the sun. This is your chance to look at the sun directly without any eye protection. But be warned, it's only for a brief moment! The second you see even a tiny bit of the sun peeking through put those eclipse glasses back on right away!

• Sun Protection for Your Skin Too!: Don't forget about the rest of your body. Eclipses can last for a while, so be sure to wear sunscreen, and a hat, and find shade whenever you can.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy the wonder of an eclipse without any risks to your eyes or skin. Now go ore and have a safe and spectacular eclipse experience! Additional Tips? Checkout this….

For more news: Read my recent post for more details: Eye Know: Weekly Eye Health Nuggets-5-Min Reads.

Enjoy live coverage of the Total Solar Eclipse (Great North American Eclipse) happening on April 8, 2024:

Dark Circles: Not Just From All-Nighters (But Seriously, Get Some Sleep!)

Dark circles under your eyes are unwelcome shadows that can make you look like you just finished a marathon (of reading, definitely not running). While fatigue is a common culprit, there's a whole crew of other suspects that may be behind these pesky circles, like allergies, sun damage, age, and even your genes (thanks, Mom!).

The good news? You're not stuck looking like a tired panda. Fight back with cool compresses, like a mini spa day for your peepers. Skincare products with fancy ingredients like retinol can help too. And hey, if those don't work, there are even medical treatments like fillers and peels (talk about a glow-up!).

Of course, don't forget the simple stuff: sleep (seriously, catch some Zzzs!), stay hydrated (water is your BFF), and protect your eyes from the sun (sunglasses are cool, literally).

If home remedies leave you feeling like you're chasing shadows, a dermatologist can be your dark circle-fighting hero. So ditch the raccoon eyes and say hello to a brighter you!

New Launches

Say Goodbye to Blurry Vision: New Eye Drop Expedites Post-dilation Recovery

Ever had your patients struggle with prolonged blurry vision after a routine dilation? There's good news! Viatris recently launched RYZUMVI™, a novel eye drop that reverses dilation caused by standard exams.

This is significant for both patients and eye care professionals. Dilation, crucial for examining the retina, can significantly impact patients' daily activities. RYZUMVI™ ((Phentolamine Ophthalmic Solution, 0.75%) offers a faster recovery, with action beginning within 30 minutes. This allows patients to return to normal sight quicker, enhancing their overall experience.

Good News for Glaucoma Patients

Struggling with glaucoma (open-angle glaucoma or high eye pressure, IOP) and tired of those daily eye drops? Glaukos' iDose TR, the first intraocular implant using Celanese's VitalDose for sustained drug delivery, is now commercially available to treat glaucoma by reducing IOP. There might be a light at the end of the tunnel! Glaukos, an ophthalmic company, just got the green light (J-code, J7355) from CMS (think insurance!) for a new treatment called iDose TR (travoprost intracameral implant). This tiny implant goes inside your eye and releases medicine continuously, potentially replacing those pesky drops altogether.

This is a big deal for glaucoma patients. Not only could iDose TR simplify their daily routine, but it might also help them stay on track with treatment challenges for many. The official launch is still a few months away, but this news is a ray of hope for anyone battling glaucoma.

Clinical Trials

Shining Light on Eye Infections: New Therapy in Development

In a promising step towards combating vision-threatening eye infections, Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, a biotech company, is teaming up with the University of Miami's Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, a leader in eye care. This collaboration focuses on developing a light-activated antimicrobial therapy (PDAT) that utilizes a molecule called rose bengal sodium (RBS), an active pharmaceutical ingredient. By creating a new company dedicated to this project, Provectus aims to bring this innovative RBS-PDAT treatment to market. If successful, this therapy has the potential to become the standard for treating these infections, preventing corneal damage and even blindness. Currently, international clinical trials are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of RBS-PDAT against different types of eye infections. This exciting partnership brings hope to millions who suffer from sight-impairing eye infections.

Glaucoma Hope: New Eye Drop in Trials

Exciting news for glaucoma patients! Qlaris Bio is testing a first-in-class eye drop, QLS-111, that targets a new area to lower eye pressure more effectively. Early results are promising, showing safety and potential to work with existing meds. Phase II trials are underway to confirm these findings. Stay tuned for updates!

Diabetic Eye Hope: Promising Eye Drop Enters Trials

An exciting development for diabetic eye disease! EXN407, a promising new eye drop designed by Exploristics and Exonate, is entering Phase IIb trials. This innovative drop utilizes a data-driven approach to target the disease while minimizing risks. Early results are positive, showing safety and potential effectiveness. If successful in the next stage, EXN407 could become a game-changer for millions battling diabetic eye disease.

Research Updates

New Eye Pressure Monitor Uses Gentle Touch for Accurate Readings 

Researchers have developed a new way to monitor eye pressure, a key factor in glaucoma. This method uses a sensor that gently touches the closed eyelid to assess eyeball softness, which reflects internal pressure.

The innovative device is portable, comfortable, and significantly cheaper than current options. Unlike other tonometers, it doesn't require contact with the eyeball itself and works even with eyelids closed. This technology has the potential to revolutionize eye pressure monitoring by offering a convenient, accurate, and affordable option for patients at home.

Blurry Vision Risk: Protein Levels May Hold a Clue for Diabetes Patients

Here's a sobering fact: according to the International Diabetes Federation, the number of people living with diabetes is exploding. In 2019, there were an estimated 463 million cases worldwide, and that number is projected to reach a staggering 700 million by 2045.

This surge in diabetes is a major concern because it can lead to a serious eye complication called diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness in adults. This is why researchers are scrambling to find new ways to prevent and treat this sight-stealing disease. But a new study suggests a potential way to assess risk-a protein levels in the blood called serum albumin (sALB).

Previous research hinted at a connection between low sALB and DR, but this new study sheds fresh light on the relationship. It seems there might be a "tipping point" – below 38.1 g/L of sALB, the risk of DR appears to rise significantly.

This is exciting because sALB levels are easily monitored through a blood test. If these findings hold up in future studies, it could mean a simple way for doctors to identify patients at higher risk for DR. However, it's important to note that this study is a starting point, and more research is needed to confirm these results and understand the cause-and-effect relationship.

Goodbye Waiting! AI Makes Fake Eyes Faster, More Precise

Imagine losing an eye and having to wait hours for a replacement. No more! Researchers in Germany, in collaboration with Ocupeye Ltd, have developed a new method using artificial intelligence (AI) to 3D print realistic prosthetic eyes in just 90 minutes. That's a whopping 8-hour time difference compared to traditional methods!

Here's the magic: a special scanner takes a 3D picture of your eye socket, and a color image captures the look of your remaining eye. This data is then fed into an AI program that designs a perfect match for your missing eye. The design is then 3D printed in full color, mimicking the size, structure, and even the veins of your natural eye.

This new method isn't just faster, it's also more consistent. Traditional techniques rely on skilled craftspeople, but AI ensures each eye is a perfect replica. Plus, 3D printing allows for complex details that might be difficult to achieve by hand.

While this is exciting news, there are still some kinks to iron out. The current scanner can't handle very complex eye sockets, and some eye conditions disqualify patients from this process. However, the researchers are confident that with further development, this technology could be a game-changer for millions who need prosthetic eyes.

New Injectable Gel Shows Promise as Vision-Saving Eye Filler

Vision problems like retinal detachment might have a new solution! Scientists created TALPPH, an injectable alginate-based gel that fills the space left behind after removing the damaged vitreous (jelly in your eye). Unlike current treatments (silicone oil/gas), TALPPH self-heals is transparent, and injects easily, avoiding complications like removal surgery and vision issues. This rabbit study shows promise for TALPPH as a potential game-changer in retinal detachment treatment.

Nerve Regeneration Protein Offers Hope for Vision Loss

Millions with vision loss caused by optic nerve damage may find hope in a new protein, nuclear factor erythroid (Nfe3). Unlike other factors that showed some promise but caused inflammation or tumors, Nfe3 has no such side effects. Researchers successfully stimulated nerve regrowth in mice using gene therapy, and while reconnection to the brain needs further study, Nfe3's potential to restore sight and even treat other nerve injuries is a promising step forward.

What else to Skim?

From Blindness to Breakthrough: Cliara Invents Touch-Free Contact Lens System

Forget the struggle of wrestling with contact lenses! The Cliara Lens Elevator, a revolutionary device recently awarded a U.S. patent, takes the hassle out of lens care. This innovative tool, born from personal experience, is an "exclusive gateway to robotics" for anyone who wants a safe, easy, and touch-free experience.

The story behind Cliara is as inspiring as the device itself. Founded in 2012 by Craig Hershoff, who lost his vision due to Fuchs’ dystrophy, the company understands the challenges of contact lens use firsthand. Craig underwent three corneal transplants and now relies on semi-scleral RGP lenses to see clearly. His experience fueled his passion to create a solution for everyone facing difficulties with lens insertion and removal.

Whether you have tremors, arthritis, or simply find lens insertion/removal a challenge, the Cliara Lens Elevator can be your eye care hero. It works with both soft and gas-permeable lenses, and its unique imaging system allows you to see the entire process in real time, giving you complete control and reducing any anxiety. So ditch the frustration and say hello to effortless contacts!

Tech Trouble: Vision Issues Create a Gap for Older Adults

Telehealth offers a world of convenience for doctor visits and managing health, but a new study reveals a hidden obstacle - vision problems. Researchers found older adults with vision impairment were less likely to own or know how to use digital devices like phones, computers, and tablets compared to those with healthy vision. This "digital gap" could leave some seniors behind as telehealth becomes more common.

The good news? Even with vision challenges, most participants reported similar levels of using digital tools for non-health activities. This suggests that with proper support, like larger screens or voice controls, telehealth could still be accessible for older adults with vision issues. The key takeaway? We need to find ways to bridge this digital divide and ensure everyone can benefit from the convenience of telehealth, regardless of their eyesight.

And for a laugh...

Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere.

See you 👁️ next week, Blink & Skimmers!