SAN FRANCISCO, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Researchers studying babies with a Zika virus-related birth defect say they have found previously unreported eye problems possibly linked to the virus that could result in severe visual impairment. In three Brazilian infants with microcephaly, the researchers observed retinal lesions, hemorrhaging and abnormal blood vessel development not noted before in relation to the virus. The findings are being published online today in Ophthalmology, journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

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Zika virus is now known to cause microcephaly, a birth defect marked by smaller head and brain size.¹ In Brazil, the site of the most serious outbreak, nearly 1.5 million people reportedly have the virus. Some 4,000 infants were recently born with microcephaly, according to reports.² As a result, the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency in February, bringing added urgency to the need for more research. A prior study of 29 Brazilian babies with presumed congenital Zika infection showed that a third had eye problems. These included ocular lesions, optic nerve abnormalities and chorioretinal atrophy, a withering of the retina and choroid, the latter of which provides oxygen and nutrients to the retina.³

For this case study, ophthalmology researchers from Brazil and Stanford University examined the eyes of three infant boys from Northern Brazil born in late 2015 with microcephaly. All had mothers with suspected Zika virus infections during the first trimester of pregnancy. Among the findings, the researchers identified several types of ocular issues not previously observed in relation to Zika virus, some of which could cause visual impairment if untreated. These included: 

• Hemorrhagic retinopathy, or bleeding in the retina, the light-sensitive layer of cells lining the back of the eye;
• Abnormal vasculature in the retina, including signs of missing blood vessels in the retina where the cells may have died; and
• Torpedo maculopathy, identified by torpedo-shaped lesions in the macula, the central portion of the retina. While retinal lesions have been observed in prior papers on Zika-related ocular findings, the authors note that this type of lesion has not been observed in cases of microcephaly.

In addition to these observations, the infants in this study also exhibited other ocular symptoms noted in the previous study. Specifically, all three babies in this case study showed signs of pigmentary maculopathy, lesions that appear as speckles of pigment on the macula. Four eyes had symptoms of chorioretinal atrophy marked by a darkly pigmented ring.

The study is small with limited observational data. However, the findings add to a growing body of clinical information about how the Zika virus may affect children’s eye development and vision. The authors noted that it remains unclear whether the viral infection itself causes eye abnormalities or if they are a consequence of Zika-induced microcephaly.

“To my knowledge, the eye problems we found have not been associated with Zika virus before,” said Darius Moshfeghi, M.D., senior author and a professor of ophthalmology at the Stanford University School of Medicine. “The next step is to differentiate what findings are related to the Zika virus itself versus microcephaly caused by the virus in order to better understand which infants will need screening.”     

For now, the authors are calling for all babies with microcephaly in areas hit by Zika to be examined by an ophthalmologist. This is consistent with recent screening recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.⁴

“Until further notice, health professionals in regions endemic for Zika infection are advised to submit all newborns with microcephaly to retinal examinations,” the authors wrote. “The procedure can contribute significantly to our understanding of the infection.”  

“Expanded Spectrum of Congenital Ocular Findings in Microcephaly with Presumed Zika Infection,” de Miranda et al. Ophthalmology, article in press, May 2016. DOI: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2016.05.001. For a full copy of the study, or more information, please contact [email protected].

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is updating its clinical statement on Zika virus based on these findings. For more information on eye conditions and diseases, visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® public information website, www.aao.org/eye-health.

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest membership association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 ophthalmologists, we are passionate about protecting sight and fighting preventable blindness. For more than 120 years, we have been educators, innovators and advocates for the public and our profession to ensure the highest-quality medical and surgical eye care. Our EyeSmart® program is a preeminent source of eye health information for the public and empowers people to preserve their vision. For more information, visit www.aao.org.

About Ophthalmology
Ophthalmology, the official journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, publishes original, peer-reviewed, clinically-applicable research. Topics include the results of clinical trials, new diagnostic and surgical techniques, treatment methods, technology assessments, translational science reviews and editorials. For more information, visit www.aaojournal.org.

¹http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMsr1604338 
²http://www.wsj.com/articles/brazil-releases-new-figures-in-zika-outbreak-1457566084 
³http://archopht.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2491896 
⁴http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/wr/mm6503e3.htm

SAN FRANCISCO, May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Fireworks sales will start blazing across the country starting Memorial Day weekend, running through the Fourth of July. As retailers begin their promotions, the American Academy of Ophthalmology is shining a light on this explosive fact: the number of eye injuries caused by fireworks has more than doubled in recent years.

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Fireworks injuries cause approximately 10,000 visits to the emergency each year, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.[1] Injuries largely occurred in the weeks before and after the Fourth of July. The CPSC’s most recent fireworks report showed that about 1,300 eye injuries related to fireworks were treated in U.S. emergency rooms in 2014, up from 600 reported in 2011. This is why some ophthalmologists – physicians that specialize in medical and surgical care – have to keep operating rooms on call to treat these injuries each year.

To help prevent these injuries, the Academy is debunking four myths about consumer fireworks risks:

1. Small doesn’t equal safe. A common culprit of fireworks injuries is the kind often handed to small children – the classic sparkler. Many people mistakenly believe sparklers are harmless due to their size. However, they can reach temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees – hot enough to melt certain metals. Even those tiny poppers or snappers can pose dangers. A ricocheting popper burned parts of Nolan Haney‘s eye and eyelid when he was 4 years old.
2. Even though it looks like a dud, it may not act like one. At age 16, Jameson Lamb was hit square in the eye with a Roman candle that he thought had been extinguished. Now 20, Lamb has gone through multiple surgeries including a corneal transplant and a stem cell transplant.
3. Just because you’re not lighting or throwing it doesn’t mean you’re out of the firing line. An international study of fireworks-related eye injuries showed that half of those hurt were bystanders. The researchers also found that one in six of these injuries caused severe vision loss.[2]
4. The Fourth can be complete without using consumer fireworks. The Academy advises that the safest way to view fireworks is to watch a professional show.

“Playing with consumer fireworks around these holidays have become such a beloved tradition that it is easy to forget the dangers they can pose, particularly to the eyes,” said Philip R. Rizzuto, M.D., ophthalmologist and clinical spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “We hope people will take the safest route to celebrating their independence by leaving fireworks to the professionals this year.”

If you experience a fireworks eye injury:

• Seek medical attention immediately.
• Avoid rubbing or rinsing the eyes or applying pressure.
• Do not remove any object from the eye, apply ointments, or take any pain. medications before seeking medical help.

To help highlight the potential dangers of fireworks to children, the Academy has created an animated public service announcement titled “Fireworks: The Blinding Truth.” It encourages the public and media to view and share the PSA. Visit the Academy’s EyeSmart® website for more information about fireworks eye safety.

Members of the news media who would like to speak with ophthalmologists or patients who have experienced fireworks injuries may contact the Academy’s Public Relations Department at [email protected].

About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. A global community of 32,000 medical doctors, we protect sight and empower lives by setting the standards for ophthalmic education and advocating for our patients and the public. We innovate to advance our profession and to ensure the delivery of the highest-quality eye care. Our EyeSmart® program provides the public with the most trusted information about eye health. For more information, visit aao.org.

[1] U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission 2014 Fireworks Annual Report 
[2] Ocular firework trauma: a systematic review on incidence, severity, outcome and prevention, British Journal of Ophthalmology, 2010

ROCKVILLE, Maryland, May 24, 2016 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Tetracore, Inc today announced the deployment of the Cirrus DX™ point of care molecular solution for the detection of Zika virus, along with Dengue virus and Chikungunya virus. In collaboration with the Naval Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Laboratory (NIDDL), Naval Medical Research Center, the Cirrus DX systems are being installed at The St. George’s Medical School on the island of Grenada.

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The Cirrus DX solution consists of the Tetracore T-COR 8™ instrument and the Collect-to-Test (C2T™) cartridge. The T-COR 8 instrument can run up to eight samples at a time, a built-in battery that can run the instrument up to four hours without direct power, and a unique connectivity capability that allows for access to the instrument from anywhere in the world on a secure network. The C2T cartridge contains all the components necessary to perform a test and does not require precise addition of specimen.

“To date the Cirrus DX solution is used to detect bio-threat agents by first responders and investigators and veterinary testing,” said Dr. Bill Nelson, CEO of Tetracore. “This is the first time the system is being leveraged in a clinical setting, an important milestone for us as we believe the solution provides a leap forward for point of care molecular diagnostic systems.” The testing being deployed also uses a proprietary collection device that will go from a finger stick directly into the C2T cartridge with no other processing. The device can convert whole blood into plasma that is ready for testing.

The first installation starts in Grenada, with plans to include additional islands in the program during the summer, all being supported in real-time from the U.S. and connected to one another.

“Our system will allow the participating Caribbean nations to be able to not just access molecular testing for themselves, but also know the spread of Zika in the region,” said Kyle Armantrout, Director of Human Diagnostics at Tetracore. “The access to real-time data by all the parties involved will give insight to what’s working and where it’s working in terms of control and response.”

About Tetracore, Inc.
Tetracore is a biotechnology company specializing in the development and manufacture of diagnostic assays and devices for the detection of biothreat agents, veterinary and human diseases. Located in the Biotechnology Corridor in Rockville, Maryland, Tetracore was founded in 1998 by former United Nations Special Commission biological weapons inspectors and scientists.

For more information about the Cirrus DX solution contact Kyle Armantrout at [email protected], 240-268-5400, or visit www.tetracore.com.