Computer gaming linked to heightened near-sighted risk in childhood Summer birth and hours spent playing computer games are linked to a heightened risk of developing nearsightedness (myopia) in childhood, indicates a twin study, published online in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Diabetes medication may protect against a common cause of blindness Metformin may reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration Researchers from Taiwan have shown that people with type 2 diabetes who took a common diabetes medication, metformin, had a significantly lower rate of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study suggests that the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of metformin can protect against AMD while it controls diabetes. The research will be presented today at AAO 2018, the 122nd Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

For those in the habit of getting their neck adjusted by a chiropractor, there's an interesting case to know about: High velocity neck manipulation has been shown to create stress on the eye and lead to spotty vision. FULL STORY For those in the habit of getting their neck adjusted by a chiropractor, the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center has interesting information to know about: High velocity neck manipulation has been shown to result in stress on the eye and lead to spotty vision.

It may be possible in the future to screen patients for Alzheimer's disease using an eye exam. Using technology similar to what is found in many eye doctors' offices, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have detected evidence suggesting Alzheimer's in older patients who had no symptoms of the disease.

Safety and Bioavailability of Carotenoids By Michael J. Tolentino, MD, and Andrew J. Tolentino As you know, lutein (L), zeaxanthin (Z), and meso-zeaxanthin (M) are carotenoids that accumula te as pigment in the center part of the retina called the macula. Macular pigment (MP) protects against macular degeneration, enhances visual performance, filters high-energy blue light, and potently neutralizes free radicals. Accumulation of macular pigment, while important for vision, requires dietary intake to initiate and maintain adequate levels, so understanding bioavailability and safety of these carotenoids is crucial.

A new study has shown that people who regularly eat oranges are less likely to develop macular degeneration than people who do not eat oranges. Researchers at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research interviewed more than 2,000 Australian adults aged over 50 and followed them over a 15-year period.