AUG 03, 2018
By Anni Griswold
Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Glaucoma, Ocular Pathology/Oncology, Retina/Vitreous
A weekly roundup of ophthalmic news from around the web.
Wills Eye Hospital has the green light to begin early feasibility studies of a subretinal implant for retinitis pigmentosa. Developed by Retina Implant AG, the Alpha AMS chip stimulates the remaining components of the visual system to restore some functional vision. The Philadelphia-based institution will be the only North American site for the trial and will to enroll up to 8 patients. Wills Eye Hospital
Alcon unveiled their new retinal forceps during last week’s ASRS meeting. The aptly named Finesse Sharkskin boasts a 27-gauge platform and a texturized tip that resembles … you guessed it: shark skin. The forceps let surgeons grasp and peel the ILM while minimizing trauma to the retina. Alcon
Australian scientists are using artificial intelligence to search the eyes for signs of personality. They’ve trained a machine learning algorithm to predict levels of neuroticism, extroversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness—4 of the Big 5 personality traits—based on a person’s eye movements. Their goal is to build robots and computers with a knack for interpreting human social signals. University of South Australia
Insulin can preserve and restore retinal function in mice with glaucoma, Canadian researchers reported in the journal Brain. The mice received insulin in the form of eye drops or systemic injections, and soon regained dendrites, synapses and retinal function. Needless to say, the researchers are busy planning trials in humans. Business Wire
Immune cells that normally protect the eyes from infection may disrupt the Meibomian gland and cause dry eye, according to a new mouse study in Science Translational Medicine. Neutrophils normally rush in to relieve inflamed eyes, but may instead accumulate around Meibomian glands and thwart glandular cell function. “This pathway may be a new target for therapeutic agents to help treat patients suffering from dry eye disease and MGD,” said co-author Preeya Gupta, MD. Duke Health