Keep Eyes Safely on the Ball 08/25/2008 SAN FRANCISCO –Noah was seven years old when an errant paintball smashed into his left eye and sent him from the sidelines of his brothers’ game to the emergency room.   Alan C. Bird, MD, Named 2008 Academy Laureate 08/12/2008 SAN FRANCISCO –The American Academy of Ophthalmology today announced that it will present its highest honor – the 2008 Laureate Recognition Award – to Alan C. Bird, MD, for his distinguished career and contributions to ophthalmology. Dr. Bird is to receive the award on November 11 at this year’s Joint Meeting with the European Society of Ophthalmology (SOE) in Atlanta.   A Screen Legend Now Sees Clearly 08/01/2008 SAN FRANCISCO -- Fans of two-time Academy Award winning actress Olivia de Havilland delight in seeing her on the screen in such film classics as The Heiress, The Adventures of Robin Hood and Gone with the Wind. But until recently, Ms. de Havilland could barely see herself in the mirror. Cataracts had so diminished her vision that she was legally blind.   American Academy of Ophthalmology Announces Leadership Transition 07/16/2008 SAN FRANCISCO -- David Parke, MD, president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy), today announced that the Academy’s Board of Trustees has accepted planned retirements of the organization’s two senior staff leaders, H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., MD, executive vice president and chief executive officer and David J. Noonan, deputy executive vice president and chief operations officer.   Glaucoma Surgery Studied in Medicare Patients; New Hope for People with End-Stage Glaucoma 07/01/2008 SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Ophthalmologists (Eye M.D.s) continue to develop treatments to help the more than three million Americans with glaucoma. The July issue of Ophthalmology includes a large, national study of outcomes of incisional surgeries, used to reduce pressure inside the eye, in Medicare patients. Also covered is research that may brighten the outlook for patients with end-stage glaucoma.   Ophthalmologists Issue New Recommendation in Effort to Prevent Eye Injuries at Home 06/30/2008 SAN FRANCISCO – What do a bungee cord, a pan of frying bacon and lawn-care chemicals have in common? They are just a few of the common items around the house that can cause eye injuries, which a new study from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy) and the American Society of Ocular Trauma (ASOT) reports are increasingly occurring at home. The new Eye Injury Snapshot, a clinical survey of eye injuries across the U.S., found that nearly half of the 2.5 million eye injuries that Americans suffer annually now happen in and around the home in common places like the lawn, garden, kitchen or garage.   Don’t Forget to Protect Your Eyes This Summer 06/23/2008 SAN FRANCISCO – One of the greatest threats to your eyes is all around you: sunlight. Studies show that exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and growths on the eye, including cancer. Unfortunately many people are unaware of the sun’s harmful rays.   Leading Ophthalmology Organizations Provide FDA with Recommendations to Improve Contact Lens Product Testing and Universal Lens Care Guidelines for Consumers 06/10/2008 WASHINGTON, DC -- Improving contact lens product testing and advocating universal lens care guidelines for consumers will improve contact lens safety, according to key recommendations presented to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today by a coalition of ophthalmic organizations. The American Academy of Ophthalmology (Academy), the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists (CLAO), the Cornea Society and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) urged the changes as experts report that the number of cases of microbial keratitis, particularly Acanthamoeba keratitis, among contact lens wearers remain steady, despite attempts to improve contact lens disinfection regimens over the years and voluntary recalls of contact lens solutions associated with keratitis outbreaks in 2006 and 2007.   A Genetic Marker for Nearsightedness? Update on Vitamins and AMD, and Recovery From Optic Neuritis 06/02/2008 SAN FRANCISCO, CA—The June 2008 issue of Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, includes a groundbreaking study on genetic factors and nearsightedness, a cautionary tale on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients’ vitamin use, and good news for people who have had an acute attack of optic neuritis.   American Academy of Ophthalmology Urges Safe Celebrations this Fourth of July 05/28/2008 SAN FRANCISCO – Last Fourth of July, Pete*, a 14 year old boy, was enjoying the lit-up skies and loud booms from the fireworks being set off in his neighborhood. Suddenly, the evening took a terrible turn. A bottle rocket shot into his eye, immediately causing him terrible pain. His family rushed him to the emergency room for treatment. As a result of the injury, Pete developed glaucoma and cataracts. Today, Pete has permanent vision loss in his injured eye because of his bottle rocket injury.