Dilation during eye examination may help detect glaucoma early

In the Healthbeat column in Iowa's Quad City Times (1/8), Deirdre Cox Baker observed that having the eyes dilated as part of an eye examination is a "weird experience," as well as a necessary one, because "glaucoma -- one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States -- can be caught if a doctor uses dilation to clearly see the retina, optic nerve, and vessels in the back of the eye." While "glaucoma is not preventable...it can be controlled to some extent if detected early." According to the American Optometric Association, "there are two types of glaucoma," a "common kind" that "develops painlessly and gradually, typically without symptoms," and another kind that comes on "rapidly," with symptoms including "blurred vision, loss of peripheral vision, colored rings around lights, and pain or redness in the eyes."

Ray-Ban, Creative Coalition to Honor Ewan McGregor at Sundance Film Festival

NEW YORK— Golden Globe nominee Ewan McGregor will be honored with the 2009 Ray-Ban Visionary Award, presented by Ray-Ban and The Creative Coalition on Jan. 18, 2009 in Park City, Utah. McGregor was chosen to receive the prestigious award, which is in its 7th year, because of his “unprecedented accomplishments as an actor, writer, singer, director and producer.”

McGregor debuted in feature films with Bill Forsyth's 1993 project, “Being Human,” he won an Empire Award for his performance in the thriller “Shallow Grave” directed by Danny Boyle. McGregor then played his breakout role in Boyle's 1996 film “Trainspotting.” He has also co-created, written and produced the documentary TV series “Long Way Round and Long Way Down,” about a motorcycle journey he and friend Charley Boorman took from London to New York. McGregor has also lent his singing talents to a number of movie soundtracks including, “Cassandra's Dream,” “Miss Potter,” “Down with Love,” “Emma,” “Velvet Goldmine” and “Moulin Rouge.”

The Ray-Ban Visionary Award, in partnership with The Creative Coalition, a nonprofit, social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community, is in its 8th year and honors the work and dedication of an individual who possesses passion, creativity and leadership, and whose work showcases imagination and originality. Previous award winners include actor/writer/director Quentin Tarantino; actors Aaron Eckhart, Matt Dillon, and Kevin Bacon, president of HBO Films Colin Callender and Mark Ordesk EVP/COO New Line Productions and president of Fine Line Features.

Ray-Ban, long a supporter of the growth of music and the arts, will return to the 2009 Sundance Film Festival as an official sponsor, according to an announcement from the company.