American researchers have published the most thorough description to date of gene expression in the human retina. And it comes with a few surprises.

 

The investigators at Massachusetts Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School used a technique called RNA sequencing to demonstrate that the majority of the 20,000 genes in the human body are expressed in the retina. This was no real surprise to the scientific community, because the retina is a complex tissue with 60 types of cells.

 

The investigators were quite excited, however, to discover nearly 30,000 new exons and more than 100 potential new genes. Exons are the portions of the genome that are used to encode proteins or other genetic elements. Several thousand of the newly discovered exons appear to be used specifically in the retina.

 

These discoveries will help researchers to better understand how the retina works as well as how it is affected by various diseases, such as inherited degenerations, which result from genetic mutations or errors. While more than 200 genes related to retinal degenerative disease have been identified, scientists have yet to find the cause of disease for up to half of the patients with such disorders. The newly identified exons in the retina may change all that.

Sources:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/07/130718130458.htm  

 

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/14/486/abstract 

 

Some of the research at the Research Center on Aging at the Health and Social Services Centre – University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke (CSSS-IUGS) has focused on strategies for protecting retinal-pigment epithelium (RPE) cells. The results show that vegetable oils have some benefits.

 

Dysfunction of these cells occurs in cases of retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration. These investigators found that incubating RPE cells in vegetable oil causes changes in the cell membrane that may play a role in preventing or impeding the development of retinopathy.

 

When incorporated into retinal cells, the vegetable-oil fatty acids tested increased plasma-membrane fluidity. “A decrease of membrane fluidity can affect the rotation and diffusion of proteins and other bio-molecules within the membrane, thereby affecting the functions of these molecules,” explained Professor A. Khalil, “whereas an increase in membrane fluidity makes for a more flexible membrane and facilitates the transmission of light through the eye.”

 

The investigators concluded that a diet low in transunsaturated fats and high in both omega-3 fatty acids and olive oil may reduce the risk of retinopathy. The research further suggests that replacing the neutral oil used in eye drops with oil that has biological properties that are valuable for the eye could also help prevent retina diseases.

Source:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/264937.php

 

A study carried out by Michigan State University has demonstrated that facilitating eye donations would give a boost to research on eye health and eye diseases.

 

About 90% of the 200 patients with eye diseases surveyed by researcher Andrew Williams indicated that they were willing to donate their eyes. Yet eye donations for research plummeted by 28% between 1997 and 2004. Many of the people not registered to donate cited what the researchers referred to as “non-prohibitive” reasons, such as never having been asked or considering their eyes were too diseased for research purposes. Beyond that, Williams thinks that many people who want to donate their eyes to research miss specifically designating that they wish to do so.

 

Williams’ study brought out that 41% of the patients responding to the survey would prefer hearing about organ donation from their physician, whereas 37% would rather learn from a pamphlet. In addition, the respondents indicated they would be more likely to consider donating their eyes if they strongly trusted their physician.

 

According to Williams, “a lot of people aren’t aware they can donate their eyes to research. They don’t really know how to get the process started. It comes down to a lack of education.”

Source:

http://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2013/eyes-are-the-prize/

A survey conducted by Transitions Optical involving 1000 Canadian consumers provides some insight into consumer satisfaction and expectations of eyecare professionals.

 

According to the findings, more than 9 out of 10 respondents considered an accurate comprehensive examination to be the most important aspect of visiting an optical retailer. Furthermore, 8 out of 10 indicated that they were satisfied in this regard.

 

Customer service (83%); a wide variety of frames (81%); an attractive, well-organized frame display (74%), optometrist recommendations (74%), and optician recommendations (67%) stood out as the other important aspects of visiting an optical office.

 

Nearly 70% of the respondents deemed it important to have an informative discussion with the optician about lenses; 60% felt the same way about frames. Nevertheless, only 68% of respondents rated their-customer-service-experience as excellent or very good, while just over half considered that their eyecare professional did a really good job at personalizing lens recommendations.

 

According to Isabelle Tremblay-Dawson, marketing manager for Transitions Optical in Canada, “the results are helpful to show eyecare professionals the opportunity to grow their practice with increased patient satisfaction.”

Source:

www.transitions.com

 

Marchon International Ltd. recently named Pierre Bessez the new Senior Vice-President of Corporate Initiatives.   

 

In this newly created position, Bessez will support President and CEO Claudio Gottari’s efforts to run the company and develop corporate projects. His first mission will be to head Marchon Canada. Bessez will report to Steve Wright, Senior Vice-President for North America. 

 

Pierre Bessez has over 30 years of fashion industry experience. Before joining Marchon in 2006, he left his mark as President of Stetson, Christian Dior/Chemise and Burberry US. “Between his knowledge of our industry and his international marketing experience, he has the perfect skill-set to manage our key projects,” said Claudio Gottari as he congratulated Bessez on his new role. 

 

Manlio Ciralli will replace Bessez as Vice-President of International Brands and EMEA (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) Marketing. Marchon’s portfolio includes such prestigious brands as Fendi, Calvin Klein, Pucci, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste and Ferragamo.