Dr. Rose, a renowned expert on retinal research, comments on the latest news, provides useful information in easy-to-understand language and connects readers with valuable resources, including those provided by the Foundation.

Founded in 1971, FFB has raised more than $450 million for research intended to eradicate retinal degenerations, such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration, affecting more than 10 million Americans.

According to the Prevent Blindness America organization, exposing the eyes to UV-rays can cause macular degeneration, cataract, pterygium (a growth that begins in the white of the eye and may affect the cornea), cancer of the eyelid, and corneal sunburn.

To protect your eyes from UV-rays, it is important to wear UV-blocking sunglasses whenever you’re outside. Here are some tips for buying a good pair of sunglasses:

• Buy from a reputable retailer: Their products will meet frame and lens quality criteria set by the American National Standards Institute.
• Look for UV protection: Sunglasses should filter UVA and UVB light.
• Try the sunglasses on: Fit and feel make a difference because sunglasses that are uncomfortable are less likely to be worn.
• Use multiple pairs: Different lenses and frames may be suited to various types of activities.
• Understand lens color: The darkness of a lens has nothing to do with UV protection, although various lens colors can offer other benefits. For instance, yellow- and brown-tinted lenses are best when used for water sports; gray, brown and amber are great for field sports; and mirror coatings work well for downhill skiing and snowboarding.
• Focus on design: For extra protection, wraparound glasses or glasses with larger temple pieces help block the sun from side angles.

Additional resources on protecting your eyes from the sun can be found on the Prevent Blindness America website: http://www.preventblindness.org/uv/.

Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
Tap~Root

Users can post questions through the “Ask LASIK Surgeons” button, which will be forwarded to the LASIK Editorial Advisors for review and comment. Answers will then be posted on a blog so that all users can benefit.

The site also provides a wealth of materials on the procedure and directory of LASIK surgeons.  Unlike other LASIK education websites, seewithlasik.com does not accept funding or advertising support from any source and therefore can remain unbiased in what it presents to the public.

To access the website, click here.

Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
Tap~Root

While glaucoma is the second most prevalent cause of blindness in the world, congenital glaucoma is very rare, affecting about 1 in 10,000 children born in the US.

To connect to the Congenital Glaucoma Network, click here.

Risa Schulman, PhD
Expert, Healthy Food and Dietary Supplement Science, Marketing and Regulatory
Tap~Root

The site was launched in response to increased advertising touting expensive stem cell therapies that play on patients’ hopes and fears, and often make exaggerated claims of efficacy, underestimate potential risks, fail to disclose methods, and leave out information on whether the treatment is conducted with regulatory oversight.

For starters, we recommend reading the top 10 things to know about stem cell treatments, which aims to correct some of the misinformation that is being widely circulated about stem cell treatments.

There’s also a patient handbook on stem cell therapies. Among other things, the handbook contains questions for patients to ask a stem cell treatment clinic.

Longer term, the site will feature lists of clinics and other service providers that claim to offer stem cell treatments. The lists will tell you whether the clinics do or do not provide the ISSCR with evidence that appropriate oversight and other patient protections are in place for the treatments they offer. If patients hear about a clinic, they can submit that clinic for review by the ISSCR.

• EyeCare America, a public service foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO). Provides comprehensive eye exams and care for up to one year, often at no out-of-pocket expense to eligible callers through its seniors and Diabetes EyeCare Programs. Its Glaucoma EyeCare Program provides a glaucoma eye exam. The EyeCare America Children’s EyeCare Program educates parents and primary care providers about the importance of early childhood (newborn through 36 months of age) eye care. Telephone: 1-800-222-EYES (3937).
  Website: http://eyecareamerica.org.
• VISION USA, coordinated by the American Optometric Association (AOA), provides free eye care to uninsured, low-income workers and their families. Telephone: 1-800-766-4466.
  Website: www.aoa.org/x5607.xml.
• Lions Clubs International provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. A local club can be found by using the “club locator” button found on their website at:
  www.LionsClubs.org.
• Mission Cataract USA, coordinated by the Volunteer Eye Surgeons’ Association, is a program providing free cataract surgery to people of all ages who have no other means to pay. Surgeries are scheduled annually on one day, usually in May. Telephone: 1-800-343-7265.
  Website: www.missioncataractUSA.org.
• Knights Templar Eye Foundation provides assistance for eye surgery for people who are unable to pay or receive adequate assistance from current government agencies or similar sources. Mailing address: 1000 East State Parkway, Suite I, Schaumburg, IL 60173. Telephone: (847) 490-3838.
  Website:  www.knightstemplar.org/ktef/ktef-faq.htm#contact.
• InfantSEE® is a public health program designed to ensure early detection of eye conditions in babies. Member optometrists provide a free comprehensive infant eye assessment to children younger than one year. Telephone: 1-888-396-3937.
  Website:  http://www.infantsee.org.

On the website, patients can review information about keratoconus (a highly debilitating eye condition in which the cornea thins and becomes cone-shaped), and treatment with SynergEyes(R) KC hybrid contact lenses; view stories from other keratoconus patients who have been successfully treated with the hybrid contact lenses; search for doctors certified to fit SynergEyes lenses; and watch educational videos on how to properly insert, remove and clean hybrid contact lenses.

To learn more, visit SharingOneVision.com.

The release notes that blindness and visual impairment affect millions of Americans, and that early diagnosis and timely treatment are critical to minimize vision loss from eye diseases as well as vision loss that is correctable with eye glasses or contact lenses.

President Obama encouraged all Americans to take action during Save Your Vision Week, to protect their vision. Readers were referred to the National Eye Institute website for resources for learning more about common vision conditions and information on finding an eye health professional.

Read the President’s full release here.

On the site, visitors can learn about basic eye anatomy, screening and diagnosis, risk factors, signs and symptoms and treatments for AMD. In addition, the site contains more than 20 watch-and-learn videos about eye anatomy, AMD symptoms, dry and wet macular degeneration, diagnostic tests, photodynamic therapy (PDT), intravitreal injection of Lucentis and Avastin, vitamin therapy, amsler grid testing, lasers and more.

Visit the EyeScience website to learn more.

Read the full press release announcing the launch.

Click here to visit the site.