by Indo Asian News Service
Washington, Sep 24 (IANS) Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have designed a retinal implant for people who have lost their vision.
The retinal prosthesis may help restore some vision by electrically stimulating nerve cells that normally carry visual input from the retina to the brain.
The chip will not restore normal vision but can help blind people navigate a room or walk down a sidewalk more easily, say MIT researchers.
‘Anything that could help them see a little better and let them identify objects and move around a room would be an enormous help,’ says Shawn Kelly, a researcher at MIT.
Patients who receive the implant would wear a pair of glasses with a camera that sends images to a micro-chip attached to the eyeball.
The glasses also contain a coil that wirelessly transmits power to receiving coils surrounding the eyeball. When the micro-chip receives visual information, it activates electrodes that stimulates nerve cells in the areas of the retina corresponding to the features of the visual scene.
The electrodes directly activate optical nerves that carry signals to the brain, bypassing the damaged layers of retina.
The research team, led by John Wyatt, MIT professor of electrical engineering and computer science, recently reported a new prototype that they hope to start testing in blind patients within the next three years, after some safety refinements are made.
These findings are slated for publication in October in IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mayor Johnson, Bobby Jackson and VSP Partner for Local Kids in Need
VSP® Vision Care partnered with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and former Sacramento Kings player, Bobby Jackson, to provide no cost eye exams, eyewear and school supplies to students at Herman Leimbach Elementary in South Sacramento this past Sunday, September 20th.
VSP provided a fully-stocked 45 foot mobile eye exam clinic where volunteer VSP doctors conducted full comprehensive eye exams with students in the two state of the art exam rooms.
“This event was a natural fit for VSP, Mayor Johnson and Bobby Jackson,” noted Cheryl Johnson, VSP’s Vice President of Provider Services. “Together, in the spirit of giving back to our community, we were able to help more than three dozen kids with their eyecare needs, and provide a day of exciting sports activities with two hometown heroes for these students and their families.”
Mayor Johnson and Jackson helped the students select their new eyewear. Jackson also conducted basketball drills in special goggles which simulated visual impairments such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
“The impact these diseases had on my vision was amazing,” stated Bobby Jackson. “It was a great way to show the students how good vision and healthy eyes are essential components to being successful in both sports and school.”
Students also received school supply kits delivered through a fundraising effort lead by students at two local elementary schools called, “Focus on Learning” and a contribution by VSP employees. The students allocated over 200 school supply kits. Each included items such as writing utensils, glue sticks and rulers.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
VSP provided a fully-stocked 45 foot mobile eye exam clinic where volunteer VSP doctors conducted full comprehensive eye exams with students in the two state of the art exam rooms.
“This event was a natural fit for VSP, Mayor Johnson and Bobby Jackson,” noted Cheryl Johnson, VSP’s Vice President of Provider Services. “Together, in the spirit of giving back to our community, we were able to help more than three dozen kids with their eyecare needs, and provide a day of exciting sports activities with two hometown heroes for these students and their families.”
Mayor Johnson and Jackson helped the students select their new eyewear. Jackson also conducted basketball drills in special goggles which simulated visual impairments such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
“The impact these diseases had on my vision was amazing,” stated Bobby Jackson. “It was a great way to show the students how good vision and healthy eyes are essential components to being successful in both sports and school.”
Students also received school supply kits delivered through a fundraising effort lead by students at two local elementary schools called, “Focus on Learning” and a contribution by VSP employees. The students allocated over 200 school supply kits. Each included items such as writing utensils, glue sticks and rulers.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Friday, September 18, 2009
91 Year Old Woman Rides Bike to Fight Vision Loss
More than ten million Americans are affected by retinal diseases that cause blindness. Local 12's Paula Toti has made raising awareness a personal mission. She's inspired to keep up the fight by people like 91 year old Mary of Fairfield,OH.
Legally blind for the past few years, Mary just added yellow balloons to her three wheeled bike because she's pitching a cause. In a few weeks she'll likely be the oldest walker in the country at vision walk.
"I don't normally mention a woman's age ... I don't mind. You should be proud. I guess I never thought I'd live this long."
At 91, Mary is living independently-going to stores on her bike, walking the bike to the bike shop when the tires are flat. "What's your vision like? I have none. On central none, some peripheral ."
People with macular degeneration like Mary lose central vision first. Those with retinitus pigmentosa lose outside vision first. Those are just two of the many retinal diseases the foundation fighting blindness wants to wipe out with events that fund research. Many of those affected are children.
"I'm used to it now ... I'm used to it, you meet a lot of people biking and they ask a lot of questions." And she's hoping they ask about the balloons and the fund raising.
"I ride in the street it's easier you don't get those bumps and everything you know." Mary has seen a lot of bumps in the road ... but maybe it was the 20 years as a police dispatcher that helped make her so tough. "I keep going because what else can you do."
Vision Walk is October 3rd in the parking lot of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse. Tara Pachmeyer and Jeff Creighton, also from Local 12 are helping with a pre walk fundraiser Tuesday at Trio in Kenwood,OH.
And Thursday night at Embers they're donating some proceeds and we have a silent auction.
Walk Information:
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009
Location: Theodore Berry Friendship Park
1101 Eastern Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Registration:9:00 a.m.
Walk Start: 10:30 a.m.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Legally blind for the past few years, Mary just added yellow balloons to her three wheeled bike because she's pitching a cause. In a few weeks she'll likely be the oldest walker in the country at vision walk.
"I don't normally mention a woman's age ... I don't mind. You should be proud. I guess I never thought I'd live this long."
At 91, Mary is living independently-going to stores on her bike, walking the bike to the bike shop when the tires are flat. "What's your vision like? I have none. On central none, some peripheral ."
People with macular degeneration like Mary lose central vision first. Those with retinitus pigmentosa lose outside vision first. Those are just two of the many retinal diseases the foundation fighting blindness wants to wipe out with events that fund research. Many of those affected are children.
"I'm used to it now ... I'm used to it, you meet a lot of people biking and they ask a lot of questions." And she's hoping they ask about the balloons and the fund raising.
"I ride in the street it's easier you don't get those bumps and everything you know." Mary has seen a lot of bumps in the road ... but maybe it was the 20 years as a police dispatcher that helped make her so tough. "I keep going because what else can you do."
Vision Walk is October 3rd in the parking lot of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse. Tara Pachmeyer and Jeff Creighton, also from Local 12 are helping with a pre walk fundraiser Tuesday at Trio in Kenwood,OH.
And Thursday night at Embers they're donating some proceeds and we have a silent auction.
Walk Information:
Date: Saturday, October 3, 2009
Location: Theodore Berry Friendship Park
1101 Eastern Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Registration:9:00 a.m.
Walk Start: 10:30 a.m.
For more information go to www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Vision Gateway 2009
Free eye care exposition and conference,
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14,
Paradise Veteran's Memorial Hall, 6550 Skyway, Paradise,CA.
Eye screening, information on macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopahy, RP, guest speakers, panel of doctors /audience questions and answers, low vision devices, information and resources booths.
Complimentary continental breakfast. Hosted by Independent Living Services of Northern California and the Eye Life Institute.
For more information go to: www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14,
Paradise Veteran's Memorial Hall, 6550 Skyway, Paradise,CA.
Eye screening, information on macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopahy, RP, guest speakers, panel of doctors /audience questions and answers, low vision devices, information and resources booths.
Complimentary continental breakfast. Hosted by Independent Living Services of Northern California and the Eye Life Institute.
For more information go to: www.maculardegenerationassociation.org
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lighthouse International Technology Expo (LITE)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
111 East 59th St.
New York City
The Second Annual Lighthouse International Technology Expo offers a unique opportunity to experience the latest developments in specialized and mainstream technology products that make life easier for individuals who are visually impaired.
We invite all people with impaired vision, their family and friends, employers, teachers, medical professionals and service providers to participate in this fantastic event. Get the low-down on hi-tech, including cell phones, digital books and music, video magnifiers, text to speech options and more.
9:30 am to 4:30 pm
111 East 59th St.
New York City
The Second Annual Lighthouse International Technology Expo offers a unique opportunity to experience the latest developments in specialized and mainstream technology products that make life easier for individuals who are visually impaired.
We invite all people with impaired vision, their family and friends, employers, teachers, medical professionals and service providers to participate in this fantastic event. Get the low-down on hi-tech, including cell phones, digital books and music, video magnifiers, text to speech options and more.
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