Effects of Astaxanthin, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin on Eye-Hand Coordination and Smooth-Pursuit Eye Movement after Visual Display Terminal Operation in Healthy Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Intergroup Trial.

(1) Background: The impairment of eye-hand coordination and smooth-pursuit eye movement caused by visual display terminal (VDT) operation is thought to impair daily living activities, for which no effective methods are currently known. On the other hand, various food ingredients, including astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin, are known to help improve the eye health of VDT operators. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that the combination of astaxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin can prevent the impairment of eye-hand coordination and smooth-pursuit eye movement caused by VDT operation.

Presence of Acanthamoeba and diversified bacterial flora in poorly maintained contact lens cases.

Acanthamoeba can cause visually destructive Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in contact lens (CL) users. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Acanthamoeba was present in the CL cases of CL wearers and to develop techniques to prevent the contaminations. To accomplish this, 512 CL case samples were collected from 305 healthy CL wearers.

[Survey of severe contact lens-associated microbial keratitis in Japan].

Purpose: To understand the current state of severe contact lens (CL)-associated microbial keratitis in Japan.

Method: The survey was conducted by the Japan Contact Lens Society and the Japanese Association for Ocular Infection in 224 facilities from April 2007 to March 2009. Patients who were diagnosed with CL-associated microbial keratitis and hospitalized for treatment were enrolled.