February 2016
Fight Back Today with Low Vision Technologies!

This month we will highlight two very exciting developments in the field of genetics and vision loss caused by macular degeneration. In the first example, over 100 scientists from nine countries have successfully identified 52 common and rare genetic variations that are associated with age-related macular degeneration. By identifying these specific genes out of the 12 million genetic variations that were analyzed, researchers are much closer to developing better diagnostic tools. In addition to helping identify patients who are at high-risk for macular degeneration, scientists can begin researching new and more effective therapies to prevent or treat the disease. 




A second article takes a closer look at the accomplishments of the research team mentioned above, and goes into more detail about how identifying these 52 genetic variations associated with AMD can help. The more scientists understand the biology of the disease, the better equipped they will be to prevent or treat it. Researchers will strive to understand how the variants interact with and affect gene function. This article also points out that, thanks to the identification of a gene variant linked to wet AMD, it may explain why medications for the advanced form of wet AMD are not effective for all patients. Finally, this article has a ray of hope at the end that might be overlooked: an article from The American Journal of Medicine found that a medication commonly used to treat Parkinson's disease, L-DOPA, may help treat and delay the onset of AMD.

                                Read More Here

The third article I want to mention discusses another positive development in the struggle against AMD. Scientists at The University of Texas at Arlington have developed a gene delivery system using ultrafast near-infrared lasers. The method is proving highly effective for treating damaged areas of the retina, expanding the possibilities for vision restoration in the future. Unlike chemical gene delivery therapies, the near-infrared laser method can target cells one-by-one to deliver light-sensitive proteins. Scientists are also encoding and delivering larger packages of genes with a wide spectrum of colors in the hopes of enabling broadband vision restoration.
                               Read More Here

Students and Learning
New Methods of Learning For Students and Teachers

This will be the beginning of a series of articles on students.  We hope this information will be relevant and timely.  We hope to include articles from students to give us a better understanding of the obstacles they confront on a  daily basis, what products work best for them, and how accessible they are.

If you know of a student that would like to participate in these articles, please send them our way.  Helping others by paying it forward is what our community is about.  Contact me here.
Let Me Introduce You To Editas Medicine
This is a company that works in the field of Genome Editing. What exactly does that mean.  It means they have found a way to turn on or off and edit disease causing genes.  Ive added them to our watch list because they have recently completed work on 
  • Leber congenital amaurosis genome editing: A mutation in an intron of the CEP290 gene leads to a form of Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA10), a rare retinal disease that causes severe vision loss. Editas scientists designed guide RNAs (gRNAs), paired them with the Staphylococcus aureus Cas9 protein and used a single adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector to achieve delivery and correction of the CEP290 mutation in primary patient fibroblast cells. 
We will be watching the studies from Edits Medicine This is very promising work.  Medicine is now taking a new direction and the hope is that they can stop disease at its onset, and save us all a lifetime of constant battle.   Read More Here
Nutrient Density Index Foods in Order of Highest to Lowest
Visionary Kitchen Brings Us Another Great Recipe
                       Stuffed Peppers


   

4  Poblamo chili peppers         1  cup black beans

     halved lengthwise                     drained and rinsed

 

2  bell peppers                          2  tsp mild chili  powder     halved lengthwise

 

1 1/2  tbsp  extra virgin           1/4 tsp ground cumin

     olive oil    divided

 

1 lb grass fed bison or             1/4 tsp sea salt

     beef

 

1  medium red onion               1/4 tsp black pepper

    small dice 

 

2  garlic cloves minced            1 1/2  cup organic 

                                                      cheddar cheese 

14.5  can diced tomatoes              grated 

                                                     

2  cups zucchini  1/2 " dice

 

1.  Preheat oven to 375F Remove ribs from all peppers, rub with 1/2 tbsp olive oil.


 

2.  Place on a baking sheet cut side down, and roast for 15 to 18 minutes, remove from the oven.


 

3.  While the peppers are roasting, PreHeat a large sauté pan over medium high add the remaining oil quickly followed by the bison, onion, garlic, and a pinch of salt, sauté until the onions are soft and the bison is lightly browned and fully cooked about 8 to 10 minutes total.


 

4.  Add the zucchini, black beans, tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Sauté 3 to 4 minutes.

 

5.  Remove from the heat and spoon into the peppersPlace peppers back into baking dishPour any accumulated liquid over the top.  

 

6.  Sprinkle with cheese Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, until cheese is lightly golden.  

 

SERVES 8  

 

Lutien + Zeaxanthin   980 mil. grams

Vitamin C 212%DV

Zinc  25%DV

 

 

 

        

couresy of Sandra Young, OD

author: Visionary Kitchen: A Cookbook for Eye HealthBooks are available for purchase at

 www.visionarykitchen.com and www.amazon.com 

 

 

 

BE MY EYES

A revolutionary project that lets people help to solve your problems.  Something as easy as knowing the color of a shirt, what's in a product, even the price tag.  It's available on IOS Â in our  app store and is FREE!   watch this video to understand what it can do for you. Please sign up to help, if you are not available at the time of the request, it's ok, someone else will step in to help.  I can't think of a worthier cause.

Have You Considered What Apps Can Help You Do?

Audio books, note takers, eye training exercises, talking readers, and more: did you know there is an app for almost anything you need? Low Vision Apps include these and more, such as navigation tools, money readers, and magnifiers. You can also find label and barcode readers, which are ideal for use at home, in stores, and just about anywhere.

 

The Apple app store is easy to use, and everything you choose is available for immediate download. See how apps can change your life!

 

Low Vision Applications

Magnify Glass 32xis a magnifier that helps you read and see applications on your phone better. You can also use the magnifier when you go to the store and need to read a label or view the price on something.  

 

Low vision applications come in handy and will provide you with the extra vision that you need to easily be able to see the important things.

Get Your Life Back Today
Start feeling better about yourself and using devices and programs to help you see better. You will feel more confident and you will be able to be more independent. Being able to rely on yourself once again is a huge feat and accomplishing daily activities is one step in the right direction.

Sincerely,

 
Richard Slinde

low vision technologies | | [email protected] | 2200 patriot blvd. unit 123
Glenview, IL 60026