Tablet computers for the blind in development

Is Braille on the way out? Do we have enough interest in teaching Braille to visually impaired students? Considering some of the subject matter cannot be explained to them by voice, are there any attempts to make this means of communication more accessible via smartphones and technology in the current age? Surprising to some, there are attempts being made to develop this technology to help the visually impaired students.

Contact lens allows the blind to 'see'

Engineers in Israel are developing a contact lens they say will allow the blind to recognize
objects by feel rather than sight. The lens is being designed to translate electrical signals into 
shapes on the cornea, producing a tactile effect similar to Braille on the fingertips.





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Technology to detect early diabetic retinopathy

Yissum Research Development Company, the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has introduced a method for detecting retinal micro-aneurysms that potentially pose a high risk for leakage of blood and blood products, which can lead to visual impairment in diabetic retinopathy (amongst other retinal vascular diseases). This method is likely to enable early diagnosis and treatment of the condition, potentially minimizing damage and saving vision. 

The technology has been patented by Yissum and is currently searching for an appropriate partner for the further development and commercialization of the invention. 

Dr. Yaakov Nahmias and his team from the Center for Bioengineering at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem developed a computational method to identify microvascular regions with high risk of leakage based on fluid dynamics. The method will enable ophthalmologists to identify microaneurysms with a high risk of leakage using adaptive optics. The scientists found that high risk is correlated with increased level of a protein called Von Willebrand factor (vWF), which has been associated with early development of diabetic retinopathy.

Retinal microaneurysms are dilations of small blood vessels in the retina, and an early feature of diabetic retinopathy, one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. Retinal microaneurysms reduce vision because they eventually cause fluid leakage from blood vessels and retinal edema. Localized leakage can be detected and treated using laser ablation slowing the progression of diabetic blindness.

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