News Releases

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.