Victor Reader Stream 3 with TuneIn App and Study Comparing Two Different Surgeries For Exotropia

Victor Reader Stream 3 (Humanware - Longueuil, Quebec, Canada)

Dr. Sean Donahue (Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Nashville, TN)

Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager at Humanware, discusses the Victor Reader Stream 3, a handheld digital audio player featuring a fully tactile interface, which is now accessible with the TuneIn app.

Then, Dr. Sean Donahue, Coleman Professor and Vice Chair for Clinical Affairs, Pediatric Ophthalmology Division Chief, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville, explains a study comparing the results of two different types of surgeries to treat exotropia, a form of strabismus.

12/31/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Sensory Substitution Transforming Visual Images Into Sounds and Microglia's Role In Diabetic Retinopathy In Mice

Dr. Josef Rauschecker (Georgetown University - Washington, DC)

Dr. Charles Pfeifer (Washington University - St. Louis, MO)

Dr. Josef Rauschecker, professor of neuroscience and co-director of Georgetown Center for Neuroengineering, in Washington, D.C., explains the idea of how the blind can "see" facial images by using a device that uses "sensory substitution" transforming visual images into sounds by using a computer chip.

Then, Dr. Charles Pfeifer, postdoctoral research doctoral in Dr. Rajendra Apte's lab in the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, explains the role of microglia in the development of diabetic retinopathy in mice and how eye injections of a molecule called CD200Fc disrupted the harmful activation of the harmful microglia in the diabetic mice.

12/3/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

AI Used To Show That 26 Proteins Age Eye In Certain Diseases And A Vision For Ending Preventable Blindness

Dr. Vinit Mahajan (Stanford University - Palo Alto, CA)

Dr. Lloyd Williams (Duke University - Durham, NC)

Dr. Vinit Mahajan, a professor of ophthalmology and vitreoretinal surgeon in the Stanford University School of Medicine, in Palo Alto, California, explains how an artificial intelligence algorithm was able to narrow 6000 proteins down to 26 proteins that accelerate aging in the eye that leads to various eye diseases.

Then, Dr. Lloyd Williams, director of the Duke Global Ophthalmology Program, in Durham, North Carolina, explains the precise mission of "A Vision for Ending Preventable Blindness", which focuses on stopping curable blindness in underserved communities around the world.

 11/12/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Computer Models Showing Patients How They Will See Post Laser Surgery And CRISPR Gene Editing Technique In Treating Mice With LCA

Dr. Susana Marcos (University of Rochester - Rochester, NY)

Dr. Bikash Pittnaik (University of Wisconsin-Madison-Madison, WI)

Dr. Susana Marcos, the David R. Williams Director of the Center for Visual Science and the Nicholos George Professor of Optics and Ophthalmology at the University of Rochester in New York, explains how computer models can better convey to patients how they will see post surgery before they undergo laser surgery.

Then, Dr. Bikash Pittnaik, Tenured Professor of Pediatrics, Ophthalmology, and Visual Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health discusses the CRISPR gene editing technique in treating mice with Leber Congenital Amaurosis.

11/5/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Disparities With Women and Minorities in Vision Health and Proper Contact Lens Hygiene During Halloween Season

Dr. Mildred Olivier (Ponce Health Sciences University - St. Louis, MO)

Dr. Thomas Steinemann (MetroHealth Medical Center - Cleveland, OH)

Dr. Mildred Olivier, Associate Dean of the School of Medicine at Ponce Health Sciences University in St. Louis, discusses disparities that still exist in eye care for women and minorities.

Then, Dr. Thomas Steinemann, Clinical Spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and Professor of Ophthalmology for MetroHealth Medical Center, in Cleveland, Ohio, explains proper contact lens safety and its importance during Halloween season.

10/29/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

TN Regional Group of BVA and AMD's Effect On Essential Fatty Acid

Blinded Veterans Association - Tennessee Regional Group (Memphis, TN)

Dr. Nicolas Bazan (LSU Health New Orleans School Of Medicine - New Orleans, LA)

Terry Richardson, president of the Tennessee Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association, explains the services and activities provided by the organization. 

Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health New Orleans School Of Medicine, explains how age-related macular degeneration decreases an essential fatty acid reducing the repair potential for photoreceptors. 

10/1/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Multiple Glaucoma Medications In Eyedrops and Cholesterol Crystals in Retina Linked To Diabetic Retinopathy

Dr. Hu Yang (Missouri University of Science and Technology - Rolla, MO)

Dr. Julia Busik (University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center - Oklahoma City, OK), Tim Dorweiler (Michigan State University - East Lansing, MI)

Dr. Hu Yang, Doshi Endowed Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology, in Rolla, discusses an NIH grant to fund research to develop multiple glaucoma medications in the form of eye drops.

Then, Dr. Julia Busik, professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Physiology of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and Tim Dorweiler, a doctoral candidate in the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrated Physiology program, at Michigan State University, explain how cholesterol crystals forming in the retina can lead to diabetic retinopathy.

9/24/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Topical Gene Therapy Reformulated To Treat Eyes and United Airlines Implementing Braille Signage In Planes

Dr. Alfonso Sabater (University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute - Miami, FL)

Chris Danielsen (National Federation of the Blind - Baltimore, MD)

Dr. Alfonso Sabater, Medical Director of the Ocular Surface Program and Director of the Corneal Innovation Lab at the University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, explains how a topical gene therapy was reformulated to treat the eyes of a teenager afflicted with dystrophic epidermylosis bullosa.

Then, Chris Danielsen, Director of Public Relations with the National Federation of the Blind in Baltimore, discusses United Airlines beginning to put Braille signage in its planes and the challenges that the blind have with air travel.

9/3/2024 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Myopia and Efficacy of Low Dose Atropine Eye Drops and Glaucoma and Importance Of Follow-up Appointments

Dr. Lori Ann Kehler (Vanderbilt University Medical Center - Nashville, TN)

Dr. Jullia Rosdahl (Duke Eye Center - Durham, NC)

Dr. Lori Ann Kehler, associate professor of ophthalmology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, discusses myopia, treatments for myopia, and a study showing the efficacy of low-dose atropine eye drops in treating myopia.

Dr. Jullia Rosdahl, glaucoma specialist and associate professor of ophthalmology at Duke Eye Center in Durham, North Carolina, explains the different forms of glaucoma, a study showing the frequency of missed follow-up appointments, and the importance of keeping follow-up appointments.

8/20/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Study Showing Eye Drops Better Than Injections For Retinal Vein Occlusion In Mice And Study Linking Dementia With Different Types Of Vision Impairment

Dr. Carol Troy (Columbia University - New York, NY)

Dr. Joshua Ehrlich (University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI)

Dr. Carol Troy, Professor of Pathology and Cell Biology and Neurology (in the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Disease) at Columbia University, discusses how experimental eye drops in mice have been more effective in treating retinal vein occlusion than using eye injections.

Dr. Joshua Ehrlich, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center, goes over a study showing a link between dementia and different types of vision impairment.

8/13/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Two Diabetes-Associated Changes With The Cornea and the Significance of the Gene WNT5A

Dr. Alexander Ljubimov (Cedars-Sinai - Los Angeles, CA)

Dr. Alexander Ljubimov, director of the Eye Program at the Cedars-Sinai Regenerative Medicine Institute in Los Angeles discusses two diabetes-associated changes with the cornea and the significance of the gene, WNT5A.

8/3/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

New UT Hamilton Eye Institute Surgical Lab Opens and Correlation Between Warmer Temperatures and Visual Impairment

Dr. Matthew Wilson (University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis, TN)

Dr. Esme Fuller-Thomson (University of Toronto - Toronto, ON)

Dr. Matthew Wilson, Barrett G. Haik Endowed Chair for the Department of Ophthalmology, Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and director of the Hamilton Eye Institute explains the renovations and upgrades at the newly renovated Jim and Virginia McGehee Skills Transfer Center.

Dr. Esme Fuller-Thomson, Director of the Institute for Life Course and Aging, at the University of Toronto discusses a study showing a correlation between warmer temperatures and an increase in visual impairment.

7/9 /2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Study About Different Treatments For Macular Edema And Smartphone Images Assisting In Referrals For Retinopathy Of Prematurity

Dr. Douglas Jabs (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School Of Public Health - Baltimore, MD)

Dr. Benjamin Young (Oregon Health and Science University - Portland, OR)

Dr. Douglas Jabs, professor of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, explains the results of a study comparing the effectiveness of intraocular steroids, the drug ranibizumab, and the drug methotrexate, in treating uveitis-related macular edema.

Dr. Ben Young, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, discusses how smartphone-based fundus imaging is assisting with referral-warranted and treatment-requiring screening for retinopathy of prematurity.

7/2/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

AI Model Using Peptides To Advance A Drug Delivery System To Treat Glaucoma In Rabbits

Dr. Laura Ensign (Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute - Baltimore, MD)

Dr. Laura Ensign, Marcella E. Woll Professor of Ophthalmology at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in Baltimore, explains how an artificial intelligence model has been used to advance a drug delivery system with peptides to treat glaucoma in rabbits. 

6/11/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Comparison of First Age of Diagnosis and Severity of Glaucoma Between Black and White Patients and Discussion of eSight Electronic Vision Enhancing Eyewear

Kaela Acuff (University of California - San Diego)

eSight 4 (eSight Eyewear - Toronto, ON)

Kaela Acuff, M.D. candidate, at the University of California-San Diego, goes over a study comparing the ages of first diagnosis and severity of cases of glaucoma between African-American and white patients.

Then, Roland Mattern, Director of Sales and Marketing, at eSight Eyewear, in Toronto, explains how the electronic vision enhancing system can help some, who have lost a degree of central vision.  That's includes the eSight 4 and eSight Go models.

6/4/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Partnership Between EnChroma Color Blind Glasses and Mississippi State University

EnChroma - Berkeley, CA

Dr. Amelia Fox (Mississippi State University - Starkville, MS) 

Dr. Renee Clary (Mississippi State University - Starkville, MS)

Amy Moe-Hoffman (Mississippi State University - Starkville, MS)

Kent Streeb, VP of Communications and Partnerships at EnChroma in Berkeley, California, and Dr. Amelia Fox, an unmanned flight instructor at Mississippi State University in Starkville, discuss color vision deficiency, a partnership between EnChroma and the school, and the importance of color vision in the unmanned flight program.

Then, Dr. Renee Clary, professor of geology, director of the Dunn-Seiler Museum in the Department of Geosciences and Amy Moe-Hoffman, instructor of geology, museum curator of the Dunn-Seiler Museum, and Chair of Museums and Galleries Committees of Mississippi State University in Starkville talk about the importance of color vision for their students in geology with EnChroma glasses and getting the full experience of the museums and galleries on campus with enhanced color vision. 

5/21/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Increase In Number Of Retinitis Of Prematurity Cases Reported and Extremely Rare Gene Variants As Potential Cause Of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

Dr. Darius Moshfeghi (Stanford University Byers Eye Institute - Palo Alto, CA)

Dr. Anand Swaroop (National Eye Institute - Bethesda, MD)

Dr. Darius Moshfeghi, Chief of the Retina Division at the Stanford University Byers Eye Institute, discusses retinopathy of prematurity and the increase in the number of its reported cases.

Dr. Anand Swaroop, Senior Investigator and Chief of the National Eye Institute Neurobiology Neurodegeneration and Repair Laboratory, explains how extremely rare gene variants of proteins, C8-alpha and C8-beta, could alter the stability of the membrane attack complex (MAC) and lead to age-related macular degeneration. 

4/30/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Mice Cones Retaining Function In Degenerating Retinas and Gene Therapy For A Form of Leber Congenital Amaurosis

Dr. A.P. Sampath (UCLA - Los Angeles, CA)

Dr. Paul Yang (Oregon Health and Science University - Portland, OR)

Dr. A.P. Sampath, Grace and Walter Lantz endowed chair in ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute and professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, discusses research showing how cones in degenerating retinas in mice retain function, showing sensitivity to light.

Then, Dr. Paul Yang, an associate professor of ophthalmic genetics and ocular immunology at Casey Eye Institute at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, explains how gene therapy can be used to deliver working copies of the gene, GUCY2D, to treat a form of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA).

4/16/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)  

Cadence Tactile GraphicsTablet and Gene Therapy For Retinitis Pigmentosa

Cadence Tactile Graphics Tablet (Tactile Engineering - Lafayette, IN)

Dr. Alfred Lewin (University of Florida - Gainesville, FL)

Dave Schleppenbach, Chief Executive Officer of Tactile Engineering, in Lafayette, Indiana, discusses the Cadence Tablet, which is a portable device that enables the blind to feel images, animation, and pages of Braille text.

Dr. Alfred Lewin, professor emeritus in the University of Florida College of Medicine's department of molecular genetics and microbiology and former Shaler-Richardson Professor of Ophthalmic Sciences explains how gene therapy has been used to treat retinitis pigmentosa in mice.

4/9/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Lab Grown Eye Cells Form New Neural Connections and Two Congressional Bills To Assist The Blind and Visually Impaired

Dr. David Gamm (University of Wisconsin-Madison McPherson Eye Research Institute - Madison, WI)

Justin Young (National Federation of the Blind - Baltimore, MD)

Dr. David Gamm, University of Wisconsin-Madison professor of ophthalmology and visual science and director of McPherson Eye Research Institute explains how isolated cells from lab grown retinal organoids could still form new synaptic connections after being broken up from retinal organoids and having their existing synaptic connections destroyed.

Then, Justin Young, National Federation of the Blind government affairs specialist, in Baltimore, explains two proposed bills, the Blind Americans Return To Work Act and the Medical Devices Nonvisual Accessibility Act.

3/12/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Effectiveness Of Eylea In Early Treatment Of Diabetic Retinopathy and a Link Between Extracellular Vesicles In Tears and Keratoconus

Dr. Raj Maturi (Midwest Eye Institute - Indianapolis, IN)

Dr. Dimitrios Karamichos (North Texas Eye Research Institute - Fort Worth, TX)

Dr. Raj Maturi, a specialist in vitreoretinal medicine and surgery at Midwest Eye Institute in Indianapolis, explains the results of a study showing the effectiveness of the drug, Eylea, in the slowing the progression of diabetic retinopathy and improving the visual acuity in those with the early stages of the disease.

Then, Dr. Dimitrios Karamichos, executive director of the North Texas Eye Research Institute (NTERI) in Fort Worth, discusses a link between extracellular vesicles in tears and keratoconus.

3/5/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Clarksville TN NFB Bell Academy and Drusen and Subretinal Drusenoid Deposits In Treating Macular Degeneration

National Federation of the Blind Tennessee

Dr. R. Theodore Smith (Mount Sinai - New York, NY)

Michelle Quinn, Tennessee state NFB coordinator, discusses the Tennessee NFB Bell Academy, which provides Braille and nonvisual skills instruction for blind children, which will take place at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville from May 30 to June 4, 2023.

Then, Dr. R. Theodore Smith, professor of ophthalmology, Icahn School of Medicine, at Mount Sinai, in New York, explains how drusen and subretinal drusenoid deposits (SDD's) affect the early diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.

2/26/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Smart Walking Stick Using AI and Computer Vision and Lipid Nanoparticles Targeting Photoreceptors and Gene Mutations

Shivendra Agrawal (University of Colorado - Boulder, CO)

Dr. Renee Ryals (Oregon Health and Science University - Portland, OR)

Shivendra Agrawal, doctoral student in the department of computer science at the University of Colorado at Boulder, discusses a "smart" walking stick, which uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, algorithms, vibrations in the handle, and spoken directions, to guide the user.

Then, Dr. Renee Ryals, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Portland's Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine explains how lipid nanoparticles deliver messenger RNA to photoreceptors to edit gene mutations.

2/5/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below) 

Sonification In Astronomy and the ACE2 Enzyme in Gut Health and Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention

Sarah Kane (University of Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, PA)

Dr. Maria Grant (University of Alabama at Birmingham - Birmingham, AL)

Sarah Kane, an undergraduate research assistant, at the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, discusses efforts to turn scientific data into interpretive sound for educational and research contexts called sonification.

Dr. Maria Grant, Eivor and Alston Callahan Endowed Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, explains the role of the enzyme, ACE2, in gut health and the prevention of diabetic retinopathy.

1/29/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)

Muller Glia In Zebrafish For Retinal Regeneration and A Day In The Life A Blind Student

 

Dr. Soumitra Mitra (University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI)

Dr. Soumitra Mitra, a postdoctoral fellow, at the University of Michigan Neuroscience Institute, discusses how Muller glial cells regenerate zebrafish retinal cells, acquire stem cell properties, and offers theories as to why the same process does not occur in mammals.

Then, Ashley Neybert, accessbility specialist with ViewPlus and lead curriculum designer with Independence Science, explains what a day in the life of a blind student is like at Oregon State University.

1/15/2023 Podcast (Click Image Below)