tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56683932024-03-14T15:15:04.344+08:00RetGenResources for people affected by retinal degenerationDeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.comBlogger354125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-4597238143667529012007-04-09T19:25:00.000+08:002007-04-09T19:44:08.633+08:00Deafblind International Conference in Western AustraliaSenses Foundation is hosting the 14th Deafblind International World Conference from 25 - 30 September 2007 here in Perth, Western Australia, at the Burswood Convention Centre. The theme is Ending the Isolation - fitting given that Perth is said to be the most isolated city in the world. For more information and to find out how to volunteer at the event, visit http://www.dbiconference2007.asn.au/.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1163162884427254852006-11-10T20:15:00.000+08:002006-11-10T20:48:04.640+08:00A Mango in the DarkJacqueline McGrath is a freelance journalist who has retinitis pigmentosa. McGrath reviewed the Parisian restaurant Dans Le Noir?' - yet another place where diners can eat in total darkness. I sometimes find it difficult to manage a knife and fork in the dark, but I can't imagine making this mistake:?That is watermelon, isn?t it?? I asked the young man. ?Absolutely,? he replied. (A glance at the Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1163141036639406722006-11-10T13:49:00.000+08:002006-11-10T14:49:32.453+08:00Retinal Transplants in MiceResearchers from Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and the University of Michigan Medical School have successfully transplanted retinal cells in mice with genetic forms of retinal degeneration. The researchers hope that this could lead to a treatment for retinal degeneration in humans within the next decade. Instead of using stem cells, the researchers are investigating the use of cells taken Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1162045798826277872006-10-28T22:19:00.000+08:002006-10-28T22:54:32.123+08:00Better OffBlogger Gordon C. Cardona has recently regained some sight after three years "of lights and shadows." In Too Blind To See? (24 October, Gordon's D-Zone) he argues that regaining sight does not necessarily make his life 'better', as many people presume.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1157522434631098242006-09-06T13:39:00.000+08:002006-09-06T14:03:43.263+08:00Macular Degeneration - A Book For PatientsFor many years Dan Roberts has offered support to people, like himself, who have macular degeneration through the MD Support Web site. Dan has sought advice from professionals about new treatments and adaptive technology so that he can offer information to visitors. He has also maintained a forum, discussion list and chat group so that people with MD can support and learn from each other.Dan's Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1157520553263115482006-09-06T13:11:00.000+08:002006-09-06T13:29:14.506+08:00Diary of an MD Patient Treated with AvastinNew Zealander Simon James is about to undergo his second treatment with Avastin for myopic macular degeneration. Simon is 22 years old and significantly younger than most people affected by macular degeneration. You can read about his treatment, which has so far brought positive results, in My Eyes Diary.Avastin is the drug produced by Genentech and which some ophthalmologists are using as a Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1156867351269703102006-08-30T00:02:00.000+08:002006-08-30T00:02:31.496+08:00Stargardt's AustraliaAustralians who have Stargardt's Disease, a juvenile form of macular degeneration, now have a source of online support. Vaughan H from Sydney has set up a non-profit organisation called Stargardt's Australia. The Web site includes personal stories, research news and forums. Vaughan has visited the United States to receive Echothiophate (Echo) Therapy and the site also provides information about Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1155572235425982422006-08-15T00:16:00.000+08:002006-08-15T00:17:15.886+08:00Nintendo's Mainstream Audio GamesA review of Nintendo's Sound Voyager mini-games is at AudioGames.net.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1154329672732092692006-07-31T14:54:00.000+08:002006-07-31T15:07:53.043+08:00German Implant ResearchGerman researchers are continuing work on a retinal implant, according to English-language site Deutsche Welle:... researchers at the RWTH Aachen University of Technology developed a special device for sufferers of retinitis pigmentosa. The prosthetic consists of two parts: a high-tech pair of glasses and an implant that is surgically placed in the eye.A tiny video camera is built into the Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1154099364387594032006-07-28T23:06:00.000+08:002006-07-28T23:09:28.026+08:00How Do Google and Google Accessible Searches Compare?Compare Google Web Search with Google Accessible Search thanks to Google Blogoscoped. I thought the accessible search would rank accessible sites higher but it looks like it cuts some sites out of the accessible results altogether.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1154098320580882102006-07-28T22:26:00.000+08:002006-07-28T22:52:00.926+08:00Avastin for Wet MD Unavailable to Sydney Eye SpecialistsNewcastle woman Elizabeth Fordham, who has age-related macular degeneration, is featured in a Sydney Morning Herald article about the withdrawal of Avastin. Mrs Fordham has experienced improvement in her vision as a result of Avastin injections, but her next injection of Avastin will be her last:Eugene Hollenbach, the retinal specialist who treats Mrs Fordham, said he was reaching the end of his Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1154061707747784622006-07-28T12:40:00.000+08:002006-07-28T12:41:48.076+08:00Complementary Medicine Survey - Take TwoThe The Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) questionnaire for individuals with Retinitis Pigmentosa is now back online and the researcher is requesting that people with RP respond in the next four days. The questionnaire has been altered and people who have already completed the survey are asked to fill it in again. To respond, you must use the Internet Explorer browser and there is a Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153754078435782042006-07-24T23:09:00.000+08:002006-07-24T23:14:45.733+08:00Google Searches for Accessible SitesWeb sites that are more easy to access by blind and vision impaired users should rank more highly when searching with Google Accessible Search.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153206179600419902006-07-18T15:02:00.000+08:002006-07-18T15:03:00.286+08:00Screen Reader ThunderScreenReader.net is a UK non-profit that has produced a free screen reading program for the PC called Thunder. Other products include the Lightning magnifier and Scan2Text, which converts scanned printed material into text.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153198104367053762006-07-18T12:31:00.000+08:002006-07-18T12:48:24.743+08:00AMD and StrokeAnnals of Internal Medicine provides summaries of recent research articles for patients. 'Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Stroke' (18 July 2006, volume 145, issue 2, page I-37) explains recent research that shows an association between AMD and stroke.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153196695778874292006-07-18T11:43:00.000+08:002006-07-18T12:24:56.186+08:00Melbourne Film Festival with Audio DescriptionThe Other Film Festival is on in Melbourne 25-27 August. New cinema by, with and about people with disabilities will screen in an accessible venue, with all films audio-described and captioned. The program includes forums on topics related to disability culture.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153133669605397212006-07-17T18:36:00.000+08:002006-07-17T18:54:29.960+08:00Acetazolamide and EdemaThe last RetGen post (Internet Business for Brothers With RP) referred to a Cambridge Evening News article about Andrew Hall, who has RP and has recently opened his own online business. The story mentioned that Mr Hall experienced improved vision for his wedding by taking an unnamed prescribed drug. The Guardian gives more information:Mr Hall, who was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa during Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153126822938083642006-07-17T16:52:00.000+08:002006-07-17T17:07:04.770+08:00Internet Business For Brothers With RPUK brothers Andrew and Chris Hall started an online business when RP made finding suitable employment more difficult:With his mind still full of thoughts about his wedding, Andrew hit on a bright idea. "We'd found it hard to find all the finishing touches," he says. "I thought there must be a market out there for all the accessories - not just for weddings, but for all kinds of events."And so Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153122707410383132006-07-17T15:27:00.000+08:002006-07-17T17:09:35.373+08:00Australians May Miss Out on Future Treatment with AvastinMelbourne's The Age reports that Australians with the wet form of age-related macular degeneration could miss out on an affordable treatment:Roche Australia said yesterday it would stop supplying Avastin to pharmacies that repackage it for the treatment of wet macular degeneration, a common age-related cause of legal blindness."Patients will go blind, there's no doubt about it," said retinal Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153121244299629132006-07-17T15:22:00.000+08:002006-07-17T17:11:32.130+08:00Eating Fish and Macular DegenerationScientists in Australia and the United States report further evidence that eating fish may help protect against age-related macular degeneration:The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon are already known to help the heart and brain stay healthy. The new studies, appearing Monday in the Archives of Ophthalmology, add to evidence that fish eaters also protect their eyes.The new studies Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1153120896933084452006-07-17T14:38:00.000+08:002006-07-17T15:21:37.336+08:00Glaswegian Retinal Implant ResearchDr Keith Mathieson and colleagues from the University of Glasgow are receiving media attention for their work on a retinal implant:Dr Mathieson, said: "Around 500 pixels would allow people to walk down the street and recognise faces."Beyond where we are today it might be possible to make smart chips which have memory in them which would allow action replay and slow motion."Dr Mathieson, from theDeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1152244046244213142006-07-07T11:39:00.000+08:002006-07-07T11:47:27.226+08:00Conference of Educators in Vision ImpairmentThe South Pacific Educators in Vision Impairment Association will hold their biennial conference in Fremantle, Western Australia next January. Abstracts are due by 17 July 2006. More information is available at the SPEVI Conference Web site.Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1152242663420800792006-07-07T11:01:00.000+08:002006-07-07T11:24:24.106+08:00Amber Contact LensesNike and Bausch & Lomb have produced amber contact lenses that reduce glare. The lenses are designed for use by athletes and sportspeople. The amber lens is for fast-moving ball sports, such as tennis, baseball, football or soccer. Grey-green is better for blocking glare for runners or helping a golfer read the contour of the ground.'Contact lense designed to give athlete and edge' (CNN, 7 Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1151902416859290772006-07-03T11:19:00.000+08:002006-07-03T13:09:28.133+08:00Therapeutic Cloning A Possibility for VictoriaThe Victorian state government is considering legalising therapeutic cloning despite opposition from the Commonwealth government. The Age reports:The Commonwealth, through the National Health and Medical Research Council and the National Stem Cell Centre, is a key investor in stem cell research. Current laws allow some embryonic stem cell research, but ban the therapeutic cloning techniques underDeannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668393.post-1151896742195921342006-07-03T10:52:00.000+08:002006-07-03T11:19:02.663+08:00Beep BaseballStephen Lyles plays beep baseball for the Colorado Storm. Lyles has retinitis pigmentosa and has played the sport, which is a variation on baseball adapted for people who are blind, for a decade. The Denver Post quotes him:"It made me feel more self-confident and made me feel that there was something more out there," Lyles said. "It's a chance to forget that you're blind."To actually throw down Deannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08055762451134650733noreply@blogger.com0