Researchers have found for the first time that a topical drop of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) significantly decreases clinical signs of dry eye syndrome in mice. The study appears in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. The researchers, from the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Schepens Eye Research Institute, concluded that once-daily administration of 0.2% alpha-linolenic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid) led to a significant decrease in dry eye signs and inflammatory changes at both cellular and molecular levels.

 

Andrea Saia has been appointed chief executive officer of CIBA Vision. Before this, Ms. Saia was chief operating officer of the company. She succeeds Michael Kehoe, who has decided to pursue outside career opportunities.

 

Preschoolers with uncorrected ametropia have lower scores in developmental testing of success in school performance (the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration). But those scores improve significantly within six weeks when the children are given prescription glasses, according to a new study by the University of California, San Diego Shiley Eye Center. The study appears in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology.