FRIDAY, Sept. 12 (HealthDay News) -- Three people with a rare, incurable form of hereditary blindness regained some sight after receiving experimental gene therapy, a new report says.

The patients, all in their early 20s, have Leber congenital amaurosis type 2 (LCA2), a disease in which photoreceptor cells cannot respond to light, because a gene called RPE65 does not properly produce a protein necessary for healthy vision.

Virtually silent engines remove key cue to safety; group seeks legislative help -- Robert Preidt

Hybrid cars run significantly quieter than gasoline engine cars, causing concern for the visually impaired who listen for sounds to guide their steps around traffic. So, when the approaching vehicle cannot be heard, it poses a danger to the pedestrian, even one with good vision.

Read the article.

Is this an effect of going green that you were aware of?

WEDNESDAY, July 2 (HealthDay News) -- Glaucoma doesn't necessarily have to end in blindness, two new studies suggest.

In one report, researchers say they found traditional surgery for glaucoma has better outcomes than using glaucoma drainage devices. The second report found that even patients with end-stage glaucoma can be successfully treated. Both studies were published in the July issue of Ophthalmology.

In the first report, researchers looked at the number of complications from traditional glaucoma surgery versus complications from inserting a device that drains fluid from the eye.

I know that I am suppsed to visit my OB/GYN once/year for a Pap Smear and to get a refill on my birth control pills. I also know that I am supposed to go to my dentist/dental hygienist every 6 months for a dental cleaning and checkup.

I am wondering if there is a list of recommended preventative screenings or "check ups" that we are supposed to get, for certain ages (from an unbiased source)? (For instance, is my dentist wanting to make money from seeing me twice a year, or is this medically necessary)?

Does anyone know of a treatment or cure?

LiveScience.com

Humans can see into the future, says a cognitive scientist. It's nothing like the alleged predictive powers of Nostradamus, but we do get a glimpse of events one-tenth of a second before they occur.

And the mechanism behind that can also explain why we are tricked by optical illusions.

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SUNDAY, May 25 (HealthDay News) -- Don't overlook your eyes when you're thinking about ultraviolet (UV) protection as the weather heats up, experts say.

Overexposure to the sun's UV rays has been linked to a number of eye problems, such as age-related cataracts, pterygium, photokeratitis and corneal degenerative changes, according to the American Optometric Association (AOA).

These conditions can cause blurred vision, irritation, redness, tearing, temporary vision loss and, in some cases, blindness.

SATURDAY, May 10 (HealthDay News) -- Every year in the United States, about 40,000 people suffer sports-related eye injuries, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), which recommends that all athletes wear appropriate, sports-specific eye protection properly fitted by an eye-care professional.

Lenses made from polycarbonate materials offer the highest level of impact protection. These lenses can withstand the force of a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour, according to the AAO.

THURSDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Injections of the drug ranibizumab can improve vision and reduce macular swelling caused by blockages in the retinal vein in people with macular edema, according to researchers at the Johns Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute.

With so much negative publicity in the media right now, Lasik surgery is not looking like it's the greatest option. There are numerous people coming forth to talk about their negative, even harmful, experience with this surgery. However...millions of people have elected to have laser eye surgery done, and it has been successful and they are extremely happy.

Have you had laser eye surgery done? What were your experiences during and after the surgery?