Ahead of the Monday, April 8th solar eclipse, eye doctors are warning people not to look directly at the sun — which could lead to blindness and permanent eye damage.

“This can happen in less than a second from looking at the sun,” Dr. Matthew Gorski, M.D., an ophthalmologist with Northwell Health on Long Island, New York, told Fox News Digital in an interview.

Another expert echoed those potential dangers. 

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“It is very possible that you can wind up with a permanent blind spot from viewing the eclipse without the appropriate protection,” Dr. Avnish Deobhakta, M.D., a vitreoretinal surgeon at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai in New York City, told Fox News Digital. 

“The eclipse is a wondrous but also dangerous event,” he said. “And everyone must be vigilant during it.”

“The sun’s rays are extremely powerful, and can damage the part of the eye that takes up the light.”

In that case, the damage may be irreversible, Deobhakta warned.

Looking directly at the sun could lead to a rare type of retinal injury called solar retinopathy, experts say.

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One case involved a young woman in her 20s who was viewing the solar eclipse in August 2017, according to a case study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

“The woman viewed the solar rim several times for approximately six seconds without protective glasses and then again for approximately 15 to 20 seconds with a pair of eclipse glasses (unknown manufacturer). The peak obscuration of the sun’s area by the moon was approximately 70%,” the report stated.

Permanent eye damage can happen “in less than a second from looking at the sun,” an optometrist warned. (iStock)

The woman began experiencing blurred and distorted vision and color distortion four hours later. 

At the time, doctors at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary in New York City diagnosed her with solar retinopathy.

“It can happen in an instant,” Gorski told Fox News Digital during an interview. 

“Solar retinopathy is a disease process that occurs when the super strong UV light rays from the sun damage the delicate structures of the retina inside the eye.”

Symptoms include blurry vision, blind spots, distortion, light sensitivity and headaches. 

“It is very possible that you can wind up with a permanent blind spot from viewing the eclipse without the appropriate protection.”

In some cases, the symptoms may improve, the ophthalmologist noted.

“The bad news, however, is that oftentimes, the same symptoms can be permanent, including blindness,” Gorski said.

Anyone who develops symptoms should immediately see an eye doctor, he advised.

Dean Cabrera watches the solar eclipse in Washington, D.C., from the National Mall near the National Museum of African American History, on Aug. 21, 2017.  (Jack Gruber/USA TODAY/Imagn)

Gorski stressed the importance of following best safety practices when viewing a solar eclipse, and to never look directly at the sun without wearing the proper eye protection.

“The only way to look at the sun is with those special solar eclipse glasses, or viewers, that carry the designation ISO12312-2,” he said.

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It is also important to buy solar eclipse glasses from a reputable vendor and to inspect the glasses for any scratches, damage or holes.

Children require special attention, Gorski cautioned. 

 A solar eclipse is photographed on Aug. 21, 2017, in Madras, Oregon. (ROB KERR/AFP via Getty Images)

“You have to know your child,” he said. “You have to make sure they are going to be responsible enough to properly wear the solar eclipse glasses … and that the glasses properly fit their faces.”

In general, whether or not there’s an eclipse, it’s never a good idea to look directly at the sun, Gorski told Fox News Digital. 

Deobhakta reiterated the importance of purchasing the special ISO 12312-2 standard glasses from a verified vendor.

Parents and caregivers should ensure that children wear the appropriate solar eclipse glasses and that they fit properly, say experts. (iStock)

“Sunglasses that you might get at a store to wear on a regular day do not protect the eyes from the eclipse,” he said. 

“The ones you need are much stronger.” 

There are other ways to safely view the eclipse, Deobhakta mentioned.

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“One way is to use a method that indirectly looks at the rays via a projection, such as with a pinhole camera,” he said.

Ophthalmologists at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary issued an advisory that offered several safety tips, as included below.

7 safety tips to know ahead of the solar eclipse

1. Do not look directly at the sun or the sun’s rays during the eclipse without proper eye protection.

2. Only special-purpose solar filter sunglasses will protect your eyes.

3. Glasses filters must be up to international safety standards and labeled as “ISO 12312-2” compliant.

4. Be careful of counterfeits often sold online — seek out approved vendors listed by the American Astronomical Society.

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5. Do not use binoculars or special lenses that magnify the eclipse — these can focus the sun’s rays into the retina and cause damage.

6. It is safe to properly use a pinhole camera to view the eclipse.

7. If you record the eclipse on your phone, do not look at the screen while it’s recording and watch the video later.

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Ice could be the next frontier in breast cancer therapy, according to new research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

In breast cancer patients, cold therapy was shown to be effective in freezing and destroying small, cancerous tumors in a study presented at the Society of Interventional Radiology Annual Scientific Meeting in Salt Lake City last week. 

Cryoablation, a minimally invasive technique, could provide a treatment alternative for patients who are not candidates for surgery, a press release stated.

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The study evaluated 60 patients who received cryoablation because they were not candidates for surgery or refused surgery due to age, cardiac issues, hypertension or current chemotherapy treatments.

Among the participants, only 10% experienced a recurrence of cancer within a 16-month period.

“Traditionally, the standard of care for patients with breast cancer is to have surgery to remove the tumor – especially if the cancer is localized to the breast and has not spread to other parts of the body,” said Dr. Yolanda Bryce, interventional radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, who was involved in the research.

AN OVERVIEW OF BREAST CANCER, SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR, WHEN TO START THINKING ABOUT ROUTINE SCREENINGS

But for some patients — those who are older, have certain medical conditions or take blood thinners — surgery may not be an option.

Cryoablation uses an ultrasound or a computed tomography (CT) scan to locate tumors, according to the release. 

Next, a radiologist inserts small, needle-like probes into the breast to create an “ice ball” that surrounds the tumor — and kills the cancer cells. 

Ice could be the next frontier in breast cancer therapy, according to new research from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. (iStock)

When combined with hormonal therapy and radiation, it’s possible for nearly 100% of tumors to be destroyed, according to researchers. 

“For a long time, cryoablation has been used to treat smaller breast tumors (classified as under 1.5 cm), but this study shows that cryoablation can actually be effective for patients with larger tumors as well,” Bryce told Fox News Digital.

AN OVERVIEW OF BREAST CANCER, SYMPTOMS TO LOOK OUT FOR, WHEN TO START THINKING ABOUT ROUTINE SCREENINGS

When evaluating whether a patient is a good candidate for cryoablation, Bryce said she looks at each patient’s treatment on a case-by-case basis. 

“Sometimes my aim is to eradicate the whole tumor,” she said. “These patients are often easier to treat because they have a tumor where I can create a big enough ice ball that engulfs the tumor without damaging the skin. But sometimes the tumor has spread to the skin, which I find most challenging to treat.”

Among the participants in the new study (not pictured), only 10% experienced a recurrence of cancer within a 16-month period. (iStock)

The biggest risk of the procedure is potential injury or damage to the skin, which can cause a “skin freezer burn,” said Bryce. 

The few patients who have had these complications were successfully and effectively treated with a skin ointment and pain control, she added.

ANNUAL BREAST CANCER SCREENINGS LINKED TO LOWER RISK OF DEATH, STUDY FINDS

Looking ahead, the researchers aim to conduct larger studies of the potential benefits of cryoablation for breast cancer patients.

They will continue to follow the patients to collect data on the long-term effectiveness of the therapy, and to better understand the impact of hormone therapy and radiation therapies combined with cryoablation, they said.

Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., shared with Fox News Digital the beneficial results of cryoablation. (Fox News)

If a patient is not a surgical candidate or does not want to have surgery due to medical or personal reasons, Bryce recommends asking a breast surgeon, medical oncologist or radiation oncologist to be referred to someone who does cryoablation. 

“This technique is not recommended for everyone, but patients can always have a consultation to see if they are eligible.”

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Nicole B. Saphier, M.D., associate professor at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering in Monmouth, New Jersey, and a Fox News medical contributor, who was involved in the research, weighed in on this treatment alternative.

“At Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, we have been using cryoablation for not only breast cancer, but also other cancers, with good results,” she told Fox News Digital. 

“Surgical removal remains the gold standard for treating breast cancer.”

“This is an important technique, especially for patients who are poor surgical candidates from other factors, such as age and chronic illness, because it is minimally invasive and does not require general anesthesia.”

Both experts agree that surgery is still the best option for breast cancer treatment.

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“Surgical removal remains the gold standard for treating breast cancer, with robust research supporting it,” Saphier said. 

“Ongoing research at Memorial Sloan Kettering and across the nation will help determine if the use of cryoablation can be expanded to others without forgoing quality.”

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

The first person to receive a genetically modified pig kidney transplant has been discharged from Massachusetts General Hospital, the hospital announced on Wednesday.

Rick Slayman, 62, had end-stage kidney disease before receiving the life-saving transplant on March 16.

The pig kidney was genetically edited to make it more compatible with a human recipient and to eliminate the risk of infection.

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“This moment – leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I’ve had in a long time – is one I wished would come for many years,” Slayman said in a statement. 

“Now, it’s a reality and one of the happiest moments of my life.”

“I want to thank everyone at Massachusetts General Hospital who cared for me before and after my historic transplant, especially Dr. [Winifred] Williams, Dr. [Leonardo] Riella, Dr. [Tatsuo] Kawai, and the countless nurses who looked after me every day of my stay,” he continued. 

“The care I received was exceptional and I trust [the] physicians of the Mass General Brigham health system with my life.”

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Slayman also said, “I’m excited to resume spending time with my family, friends and loved ones free from the burden of dialysis that has affected my quality of life for many years … My recovery is progressing smoothly and I ask for privacy at this time.”

Slayman received his first kidney transplant from a human donor in 2017. 

His organ began failing again in May 2023, when he went on dialysis.

Slayman, sitting down, along with — left to right — Dr. Leo Riella, medical director of kidney transplantation; Dr. Nahel Elias, interim chief, division of transplant surgery; Slayman’s partner, Faren; and Dr. Tatsuo Kawai, director, Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance.  (Michelle Rose/Massachusetts General Hospital)

“The success of this transplant is the culmination of efforts by thousands of scientists and physicians over several decades,” said Tatsuo Kawai, M.D., PhD, director of the Legorreta Center for Clinical Transplant Tolerance at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), in a press release following the surgery.

“This moment – leaving the hospital today with one of the cleanest bills of health I’ve had in a long time – is one I wished would come for many years.”

“We are privileged to have played a significant role in this milestone. Our hope is that this transplant approach will offer a lifeline to millions of patients worldwide who are suffering from kidney failure,” he also said.

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Slayman has been a patient at Mass General Transplant Center for 11 years.

The successful surgery marks a “historic milestone” in xenotransplantation, which is the transplant of organs across species, the hospital noted.

Slayman hugs his patient advocate, Susan Klein, before he is discharged. (Michelle Rose/Massachusetts General Hospital)

This type of procedure could potentially provide an alternative solution to the global organ shortage.

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More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are currently on waiting lists for organ transplants — and 17 of those die each day, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

At MGH alone, more than 1,400 patients are currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.

Slayman with, from left to right, Drs. Elias, Kawai and Riella. (Michelle Rose/Massachusetts General Hospital)

Kidneys top the list of the most commonly needed organs, as end-stage kidney disease is expected to increase by anywhere from 29% to 69% by 2030.

MGH previously performed the world’s first human organ transplant, of a kidney, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in 1954.

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Fox News Digital reached out to MGH and additional physicians requesting comment.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

The White House has declared April 2024 as Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month.

In a proclamation issued on March 29, President Joe Biden acknowledged the “enormous progress” that has been made toward beating cancer in the U.S. while noting that it’s still the second-leading cause of death.

To help prevent cancer, he emphasized the importance of screenings for early detection and outlined programs to make them more accessible.

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“It is important for every American to know that cancer screenings are lifesaving — early detection can make all the difference in beating the disease,” Biden stated.

The president’s proclamation also discussed how adopting healthy lifestyle habits — “like maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing exposure to tobacco smoke” — can prevent certain types of cancers.

“Studies have shown that over 30% of cancers diagnosed today could be prevented through methods like decreasing environmental and toxic exposures to carcinogens and making lifestyle changes like reducing tobacco use and improving nutrition,” Biden said.

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A third approach the president mentioned is reducing exposure to potentially cancer-causing toxins in the environment.

“I encourage citizens, government agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations and other interested groups to join in activities that will increase awareness of what Americans can do to prevent, detect and beat cancer,” Biden wrote.

“We are not just working toward incremental changes — we are looking for quantum leaps forward.”

‘It’s a big deal’

Fox News Digital spoke with Jody Hoyos, CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia, about the significance of April being declared Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Month.

“It’s a big deal because it gives us the opportunity to share information with people about risk reduction for cancer, as well as cancer screenings,” she said. 

The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s annual early detection survey found that nearly seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. are behind on at least one routine cancer screening.  (iStock)

“We know that early detection saves lives when people have their cancer prevented in its entirety, which is the best-case scenario.”

The next-best scenario, Hoyos said, is that people have their cancer detected early, so they get the best chance at treatment and recovery. 

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The Prevent Cancer Foundation’s annual early detection survey found that nearly seven out of every 10 adults in the U.S. are behind on at least one routine cancer screening. 

The main reason given for missed screenings is that people simply didn’t know they needed to be screened, Hoyos said.

“We are not just working toward incremental changes — we are looking for quantum leaps forward.”

“That means it’s really important to share information about the screenings people need,” she noted.

There are also different barriers across racial and ethnic groups, Hoyos added.

In the survey, Hispanic adults in the U.S. cited inability to afford the cost of screening as a top reason for skipping them. Black adults reported skepticism in the health care system as a top reason they were not being screened.

“People need to understand the benefits of early detection in order to encourage them to schedule their appointments,” said the CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation. (iStock)

White adults cited the lack of symptoms as to why they were not being screened, Hoyos shared, while Asian adults reported concerns or fear about the cancer screening itself.

“Everyone has different needs and concerns when it comes to navigating a cancer screening,” Hoyos said.

“We want to make sure to provide as much information as we can to help people.”

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“People need to understand the benefits of early detection in order to encourage them to schedule their appointments.”

Family history is another element to consider, she said.

“If there is a family history of cancer, you want to know that so you can talk to your provider about when to start your screening and how often you should be screened,” Hoyos noted.

“Cancer is not just an issue for older people — it affects everyone.”

But if someone doesn’t have a family history, that doesn’t mean they don’t need screenings, she cautioned.

“Some people assume that if they don’t have a family history, they don’t need to worry about it — but most people who get a cancer diagnosis don’t have a family history,” Hoyos said. 

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“Only about 5% to 10% of cancers are hereditary.”

Screenings are particularly important as cancer diagnoses are happening at younger ages, the expert added. 

The proclamation also noted that adopting healthy lifestyle habits — “like maintaining a healthy body weight and reducing exposure to tobacco smoke” — can prevent certain types of cancers. (iStock)

In some cases, the disease appears well before people reach the recommended screening age.

“Cancer is not just an issue for older people — it affects everyone,” Hoyos emphasized.

“And so we want to make sure people know their bodies and advocate for their health when something is wrong — if you’re getting an answer that doesn’t feel right to you, you should seek a second opinion.”

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PreventCancer.org offers a checklist of the screening recommendations for different types of cancer at various ages.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

As avian influenza (bird flu) continues to spread among wild birds in the European Union, officials are warning of the potential for a future human pandemic.

On Wednesday, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an alert noting that “transmission between bird and mammal species has been observed, particularly in fur animal farms, where outbreaks have been reported.”

Although it is rare for infected birds to pass along the virus to humans, the agency warned that new strains could pose a danger in the future.

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“These viruses continue to evolve globally, and with the migration of wild birds, new strains carrying potential mutations for mammalian adaptation could be selected,” the alert stated.

“If avian A (H5N1) influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large‐scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defenses against H5 viruses in humans.” 

In other words, humans don’t have immunity against bird flu — which means it could potentially spread quickly.

The flu has been found to spread between birds and mammals, the EFSA noted — “particularly in fur animal farms, where outbreaks have been reported.”

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To prevent the risk of a bird flu pandemic, the agency recommended taking steps to limit exposure and prevent the spread to mammals and humans. 

“Key options for actions include enhancing surveillance targeting humans and animals, ensuring access to rapid diagnostics, promoting collaboration between animal and human sectors, and implementing preventive measures such as vaccination,” the EFSA wrote.

“People with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.” (iStock)

“Effective communication to different involved target audiences should be emphasized, as well as strengthening veterinary infrastructure, enforcing biosecurity measures at farms, and reducing wildlife contact with domestic animals.”

The agency also called for “careful planning of poultry and fur animal farming,” particularly in locations with large numbers of waterfowl (aquatic birds like ducks and geese).

Human cases in the U.S.

On Monday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that a person in Texas tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.

“This person had exposure to dairy cattle in Texas presumed to be infected with HPAI A(H5N1) viruses,” the CDC’s statement said. 

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“The patient reported eye redness (consistent with conjunctivitis), as their only symptom, and is recovering. The patient was told to isolate and is being treated with an antiviral drug for flu.”

The CDC said this is the second case of a human testing positive for H5N1 in the United States, after a previous case was observed in Colorado in 2022.

“If avian A (H5N1) influenza viruses acquire the ability to spread efficiently among humans, large‐scale transmission could occur due to the lack of immune defenses against H5 viruses in humans,” the EFSA said. (iStock)

“This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low,” it added. 

“However, people with close or prolonged, unprotected exposures to infected birds or other animals (including livestock), or to environments contaminated by infected birds or other animals, are at greater risk of infection.”

“At present, it does not transmit readily from person to person.”

The CDC said it is “working with state health departments to continue to monitor workers who may have been in contact with infected or potentially infected birds/animals and test those people who develop symptoms.” 

Human symptoms can range from mild (e.g., eye infection, upper respiratory symptoms) to severe illness (e.g., pneumonia), according to the CDC.

Infectious diseases expert weighs in

Erica Susky, a Toronto-based medical microbiologist certified in infection control, said she believes there is generally “not a high risk” of human-to-human transmission, given that “the natural reservoir” of H5N1 and other strains of avian influenza is birds and not humans.

“Cases of H5N1 in humans usually occur in people who have had contact with birds (slaughter, de-feathering, butchering or preparing),” she told Fox News Digital. 

The EU agency called for “careful planning of poultry and fur animal farming,” particularly in locations with large numbers of waterfowl. (iStock)

While bird flu has a 60% fatality in humans, Susky noted, it rarely occurs.

“At present, it does not transmit readily from person to person,” she said.

The primary concern involves the influenza virus, she said, which is “excellent at mutating and recombining.” 

“If there are repeated contacts between species that are the natural reservoir for one type of influenza viral strain — like birds and H5N1 — and humans, the chances of this novel strain adapting to spread in this different species increases,” Susky told Fox News Digital.  

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“As there are more cases of H5N1, there are more chances for a crossover event into humans.”

Some of the biggest sources of spread, Susky said, are industrial agriculture and modern cities, where a virus like influenza can pass readily through human and bird populations.

“Currently, birds share influenza strains less often with humans, though that can change — it is how past influenza pandemics have arisen,” she said.

On Monday of this week, the CDC announced that a person in Texas tested positive for H5N1 bird flu. (REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo)

To prevent spread, Susky recommended practicing proper infection prevention techniques, which is important not only for bird flu, but also for seasonal influenza. 

Those techniques include following proper and frequent hand hygiene before preparing food, eating or touching one’s face, and after using the washroom or coming in contact with animals.

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Other mitigation strategies include receiving the annual influenza vaccine for those who qualify, and not going out among other people while feeling ill. 

“The best way to minimize one’s risk of coming in contact with novel influenza strains is to avoid contact with birds and wild animals, if possible,” Susky added.  

Greg Norman of Fox News Digital contributed reporting.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health. 

Allowing babies to sleep outside their cribs or dedicated solo sleep spaces can have life-threatening risks.

That’s according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which was published in the medical journal Pediatrics.

Among infants who died suddenly, 59.5% were sleeping with someone else at the time.

Around 76% were sleeping in an adult bed and 68.2% were sharing a bed with an adult, the study found.

SIDS LINKED TO BRAIN ABNORMALITY THAT INCREASES BABIES’ RISK IN ‘UNSAFE SLEEP CONDITIONS,’ STUDY FINDS

In 68.3% of the deaths, soft bedding was found in the sleeping area.

The researchers looked at more than 7,500 sudden unexpected infant deaths in 23 U.S. states between 2011 and 2020.

They evaluated the babies’ sleep environments, demographics and other characteristics.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, joined “Fox & Friends” this week to discuss the dangers associated with unsafe sleep habits.

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While it may seem “natural” for a child to be in bed with a parent, especially among those who are new to parenting, these sleep arrangements can have tragic consequences, the doctor warned. 

Of the 1,300 to 1,500 cases of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) each year, almost three-quarters of them were associated with a child sleeping in a bed with a parent, he pointed out.

Among the thousands of infants who died in 23 U.S. states between 2011 and 2020, nearly three-quarters of them were sharing a bed with an adult, the study found. (iStock)

“You know why? The surface isn’t firm enough,” he said.

“When you sleep, you have a mattress you want to feel comfortable with — but in the crib, [it should be] a very firm mattress,” he added. 

“These are key issues — you don’t want to have your child sleeping on their stomach when they are very young.”

No loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, plush toys, crib bumpers or other soft items should be placed in the child’s sleep space, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. (iStock)

Previous studies have shown that SIDS has something to do with the way the baby is exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide, Siegel noted.

“It’s also related to what you do when you’re pregnant,” he said. “You don’t want to be smoking, you don’t want to be drinking alcohol. All of that increases the risk of SIDS.”

It’s safest for babies to sleep on their backs or sides until they are 1 year old, Siegel advised.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) shared specific guidelines on its website to ensure safe sleeping for babies and young children.

Parents and caregivers should place infants on their backs for sleep in their own dedicated sleep space — a crib, bassinet or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet — with no other people in that same space. 

Parents and caregivers should place infants on their backs for sleep in their own dedicated sleep space, experts advise. (iStock)

Infants should not be put to sleep on a couch, an armchair, a swing or a car seat.

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No loose blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, plush toys, crib bumpers or other soft items should be placed in the child’s sleep space.

The AAP also recommends breastfeeding if possible and that parents should avoid smoking to reduce risk.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

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