News

AMO results

Advanced Medical Optics has released second-quarter 2006 results showing sales of $257m (£137m), a 13.2 per cent increase on last year. The company said the rise reflects its May 2005 acquisition of VISX, as well as growth of core brands. It made a loss of $2.7m, compared to a Q2 loss last year of $438m. It added that sales of Complete MoisturePlus more than doubled in the Americas following the withdrawal of ReNu with MoistureLoc.

Growing market

The European market for devices used in the treatment of cataract, glaucoma, retinal conditions and refractive surgery is expected to grow about 4 per cent per year over the next five years says the Dublin-based Millennium Research Group.

Braille on the move

Mechanical engineering students at John Hopkins University in Baltimore have invented a portable Braille device that could cost as little as £30. It features six buttons that can be depressed to produce the embossed patterns that correspond to Braille letters.

Protein is the key

Scientists at Harvard Medical School have discovered why the cornea is free of blood vessels. Large amounts of the protein vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 – VEGFR3 – on the uppermost endothelial layer halt blood vessel growth say researchers in the July 25 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Trotter treks the Trail

A blind woman who walked 150 miles three years ago along Devon’s Tarka Trail has decided to repeat the trek in the opposite direction, according to the North Devon Gazette. Tilley Trotter, who raised £8,600 for Guide Dogs in 2003, will set off on August 17 with her new guide dog and her 14-year-old grandson. She is being supported by Specsavers in Barnstaple.

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