News Releases

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Dale Fajardo Appointed as Vice President for Education

DEC 18, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced the promotion of Dale Fajardo, Ed.D., M.B.A., to vice president for education. Mr. Fajardo will lead a team responsible for the Academy’s extensive ophthalmic clinical education and quality of care programs, courses and products.

Top-Selling Eye Vitamins Found Not to Match Scientific Evidence

DEC 09, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — With Americans spending billions of dollars each year on nutritional supplements, researchers have analyzed popular eye vitamins to determine whether their formulations and claims are consistent with scientific findings. They determined that some of the top-selling products do not contain identical ingredient dosages to eye vitamin formulas proven effective in clinical trials. In addition, the study found that claims made on the products' promotional materials lack scientific evidence. The results of their study were published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

NOV 25, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — With the holiday gift-buying season in full swing and a slew of current movies and TV shows such as "The Hunger Games," "The Walking Dead" and "Arrow" prominently featuring crossbows and quivers, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is urging parents and the public to avoid purchasing any projectile-shooting toys since they are known to cause traumatic eye injury and blindness.

Diabetes and Eyes: What People Don’t Know Could Leave Them Blind

NOV 05, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — While people with diabetes are more likely to develop blinding eye diseases, recent studies have revealed low awareness of the issue among ethnicities at higher risk for diabetes and low uptake of preventive eye exams among affected Medicare beneficiaries. With the findings signaling that many Americans may not be defending themselves against diabetes-related vision loss, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is sharing information about diabetic eye disease and dilated eye exams to encourage those with diabetes to take proactive steps to protect their vision.

Iris Implant Surgery to Change Eye Color Can Be Dangerous, American Academy of Ophthalmology Warns

OCT 31, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — Following recent media reports about a cosmetic iris implant surgery to change eye color, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, is warning consumers not to undergo the procedure, which has the capacity to cause serious eye damage, vision loss and blindness.

3-D Printed Facial Prosthesis Offers New Hope for Eye Cancer Patients Following Surgery

OCT 20, 2014

CHICAGO — Researchers have developed a fast and inexpensive way to make facial prostheses for eye cancer patients using facial scanning software and 3-D printing, according to findings released today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Their novel process can create more affordable prosthetics for any patients who have hollow sockets resulting from eye surgery following cancer or congenital deformities.

Academy Launches New Patient Education Materials to Meet Health Literacy Standards

OCT 20, 2014

CHICAGO — Low literacy rates contribute to poor patient compliance, leading to increased hospitalizations and chronic illness and costing the economy between $106 – $238 billion each year. To help address this issue within eye health, the American Academy of Ophthalmology has redesigned its patient education materials to enhance patient readability and understanding. The materials are being launched at AAO 2014, the Academy’s 118th annual meeting in Chicago this week.

Academy Announces Key Milestones for Ocular Disease Database, a National Quality of Care Initiative

OCT 19, 2014

CHICAGO — The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced key milestones in the development of an innovative quality of care initiative launched less than a year ago. In presentations today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Academy revealed that close to one-third of the nation’s eye physicians and surgeons are participating in the IRIS™ Registry, which is the first comprehensive database of eye diseases and conditions in the United States.

iPad Screenings Effective for Detecting Early Signs of Glaucoma in Underserved, High-Risk Populations

OCT 19, 2014

CHICAGO — The first tear duct implant developed to treat inflammation and pain following cataract surgery has been shown to be a reliable alternative to medicated eye drops, which are the current standard of care, according to a study presented today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. The device, known as a punctum plug, automatically delivers the correct amount of postoperative medication in patients, potentially solving the issue of poor compliance with self-administering eye drops.

Research Reveals Likelihood and Onset of Multiple Sclerosis Diagnosis Among Patients with Inflammatory Eye Disease

OCT 19, 2014

CHICAGO — The results of the largest retrospective study of multiple sclerosis (MS) in uveitis patients has revealed that nearly 60 percent of patients with both diseases were diagnosed with each within a five-year span. The study is being presented today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Could Reading Glasses Soon Be a Thing of the Past?

OCT 18, 2014

CHICAGO — A thin ring inserted into the eye could soon offer a reading glasses-free remedy for presbyopia, the blurriness in near vision experienced by many people over the age of 40, according to a study released today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. A corneal inlay device currently undergoing clinical review in the United States improved near vision well enough for 80 percent of the participating patients to read a newspaper without disturbing far distance vision needed for daily activities like driving.

iPhones for Eye Health: Capturing Ocular Images in Difficult-to-Photograph Patients

OCT 18, 2014

CHICAGO — Smartphone technology is a widely available resource which may also be a portable and effective tool for imaging the inside of the eye, according to results of a study released today at AAO 2014, the 118th annual meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Researchers from the Ross Eye Institute at the University at Buffalo-SUNY are successfully using an iPhone® application as an inexpensive, portable and effective tool for imaging the inside of the eye, including in patients who are challenging to photograph by traditional methods.

Smartphone Approach for Examining Progression of Diabetic Eye Disease Offers Comparable Results to Traditional Method

OCT 18, 2014

CHICAGO — A smartphone-based tool may be an effective alternative to traditional ophthalmic imaging equipment in evaluating and grading severity of a diabetic eye disease, according to a study released today at AAO 2014, the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s 118th annual meeting. The results of the research indicate the lower-cost method could be useful for bringing the service to patients in isolated or underserved communities.

Heroes of Vision: Ophthalmologists Honored for Fighting Blindness in Low-Resource Communities Around the Globe

OCT 02, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — In conjunction with World Sight Day Oct. 9, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is announcing the recipients of its Artemis, International Blindness Prevention and Outstanding Humanitarian Service awards, all of whom are physicians working to prevent blindness in low-resource areas internationally. The Academy is sharing their stories to bring greater public attention to the impact of blindness around the globe.

Four Frightening Ways Costume Contact Lenses Can Ruin Your Vision

OCT 01, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — Don’t let over-the-counter eye accessories turn Halloween into a nightmare, ophthalmologists warn.

American Academy of Ophthalmology’s Annual Meeting To Showcase Latest in Eye Care Research, Technology, Clinical Education and Legislation

SEP 17, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — The world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, today announced the highlights of its upcoming 118th annual meeting, which will be held in conjunction with the European Society of Ophthalmology Oct. 17-21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. Known as the place "Where all of Ophthalmology Meets," the event is expected to draw more than 25,000 attendees, making it among the largest medical meetings in the United States.

Are My Eyes Changing Because I’m Just Getting Older? When Should I See an Eye Doctor?

SEP 09, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — More than 142 million Americans are age 40 and older, and it is around age 40 that many people start to notice changes in their eyesight that increase as they get older. By 2030, it is predicted that more than 90 million people will be age 65 and older; one in six of these people will have vision impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. For these age groups, greater awareness of common eye symptoms can help ensure quicker intervention to prevent vision loss, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Genetic Test for Congenital Cataracts Effective for Diagnosis of Rare Diseases Linked to Childhood Blindness

AUG 21, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — English researchers have demonstrated that next generation DNA testing for congenital cataracts can more quickly and accurately diagnose a number of rare diseases marked by childhood blindness. The study was published online in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Contact Lens Infection Workshop at FDA September 12

AUG 18, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced a contact lens microbiology workshop on Sept. 12 aimed at preventing Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare infection among contact lens wearers that causes severe eye pain, redness, light sensitivity and potential vision loss. The event is jointly sponsored by the Academy, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, the American Academy of Optometry and the American Optometric Association.

Six Smart Things College Students Should Do for Their Eyes

JUL 28, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO — This fall, a record 21.7 million students will attend a college or university in the United States. Many teens will be living away from home for the first time without mom or dad around to reinforce healthy habits, including how to care for their eyes. Before students head for the dorms, ophthalmologists are providing parents with college eye health tips to ensure their freshmen sons and daughters keep seeing 20/20 during school.

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