Choosing the right IOL when considering cataract surgery
April 6, 2023
What’s the difference between Diffractive and non-diffractive EDOF IOLs?
Discussions about the chances of scientific breakthroughs in colorblindness and the role of artificial retinas. What is the main complexity and mysticism of retina? Let's figure it out together!
Retina in vitro? Seriously? Perhaps we will live to see the technology shown in Minority Report, where the hero played by Tom Cruise gets eye implants. It won’t happen tomorrow, though.
In the meantime, Johns Hopkins is growing an important part of this technology in their laboratories.
But we shouldn’t celebrate prematurely. Artificial retinas cannot be used for transplants. However, scientists are looking for a closer understanding on how we distinguish colors. This could help colorblind people.
For example, my friend came into work wearing a hat that was this hideous green color. He was sure that it was brown.
But it isn’t just about terrible hats, or even traffic lights. Colorblindness doesn’t allow people to appreciate the world to the fullest. Maybe it’s some consolation, however, that the non-colorblind can’t see even a thousandth of what tetrachromats supposedly can.
Perhaps even more consolation is tetrachromats’ painting is not very interesting.
And yet another – the majority of our smaller mammalian brothers only have two types of receptors.
The retina, as you know, is joined to the optic nerve. It creates a code for the image that’s sent to the brain.
The three classic receptors are differentiated by red, blue, and green colors. Although hundreds of books have been written about this, the exact origin of color in the brain is still a mystery.
It’s interesting study. Evolution (or its author) thought of everything when it came to our vision. But now we drive ourselves crazy trying to solve the puzzle of blindness.
When scientists were developing artificial lenses from stem cells, they noticed that the blue cones form first. Then green, then red.
“SO WHAT?”, YOU RIGHTFULLY ASK
Generally speaking, it’s mostly nothing. Sensational science of the past, as we know, consists mostly of nothing but great promises and a bright future.
But we have still managed to find a way to hormonally activate or block the growth of photoreceptors. “So what?” you ask again. The fact is that this opens up the possibility of treating colorblindness and age-related changes in the retina. In the opinion of these scientists, of course.
Colorblindness is still incurable today. Partial loss of vision due to retinal degeneration we attempt to treat with stem cell injections. Results are still so-so, but who knows when and where the real scientific breakthrough will occur?
Tomorrow, possibly.
Text: Vadim AvrukinTranslation: Richard Crenwelge
Photo by Luz Mendoza and Jennifer Regnier on Unsplash
What’s the difference between Diffractive and non-diffractive EDOF IOLs?
We will open up about whether there is at least something beautiful behind these magic words – macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. What kind of unpleasant disease lies under such an interesting "keratoconus" and what is the connection with the cone?
Despite the fact that Macular Degeneration considered as a disease of kings, now it affects and leads to blindness not only to a privileged society. The light of hope was received from a group of American ophthalmologists who saved four patients from blindness with a new method that’s described in the Journal of Translational
Medicine.
For the first time in history, a robot called PRECEYES participated in an operation. The task was to dissect a specific membrane in the macula, a yellow spot of patients with macular degeneration. Results from six patients, operated on by robots, were compared with six others operated on by humans, but in terms of speed, you might be surprised that man won. Humans 1.5 minutes against robots 5.
The retina is a portal to your brain. According to new data, Alzheimer’s can show itself through some eye diseases that affect the retina. If problems begin in retina, it could be a symptom of physiological abnormalities in the brain. Also, retinal problems can indicate such diseases as diabetes, atherosclerosis. etc.
Researchers observed a sizable population for 15 years, which demonstrated that the probability of developing macular degeneration was 60% lower in orange lovers than in orange haters. Flavonoids, according to the study's author, are most likely what cause this impact. Numerous authors adore the word "flavonoids" because it is so lovely. However, what are they?
Future is officially here! Optos is the modern diagnostic equipment for systemic and ocular retinal diseases. With the assistance of Optos, ophthalmologist can take a fundus photo and see the rear of the eye for potential retinal tears.
Genentech has created a new delivery method for medications needed to prevent age related macular degeneration (AMD) called Port Delivery System. It resembles a small grain of rice that goes directly into your eye and time-releases medication. Genius!
