Vision Source Philly Blog

Are School Administered Vision Tests Sufficient?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 19:27:00 +0000

Busy parents across the nation are tackling to-do lists as their kids prepare for a new school year, and it's tempting to reevaluate the tasks to see what can be removed or saved for a later date. One item that should definitely be on your child's back to school to-do list is a comprehensive eye exam. Kids today typically receive a vision test annually administered by a school nurse, but don’t let this simple vision test replace your annual visit to an eye doctor. The vision tests administered in school can detect basic problems, but not all vision problems. According to the American Optometry Association, school vision tests are intended help identify children who may have undetected vision problems and refer them for further evaluation. However, they should not be relied on to provide the same results as a comprehensive eye and vision examination. To better understand why school administered vision tests should not replace regular visits to your eye doctor, consider the following factors that limit their effectiveness: Limited testing - Many vision tests only examine distance visual acuity. The ability to see clearly in the distance is important, but it does not give any indication of how well the eyes focus up close or how they work together. Untrained personnel - Often times a

vision test is conducted by administrative personnel, school nurses, or volunteers who have little or no training. While well intentioned, these individuals do not have the knowledge to competently assess screening results. Inadequate testing equipment - The scope of vision tests may be limited by the type of testing equipment available. Factors such as room lighting, testing distances and maintenance of the testing equipment can also affect test results. Also check out: Four Vision Problems Your Child May Inherit From You So before you postpone that upcoming trip to have your child’s eyes examined by the eye doctor, consider these facts: 1 in 4 kids has a vision problem that can cause problems in learning and behavior. Virtually everything kids learn comes through their eyes, so vision problems put them at a severe disadvantage in school and other activities. The World Health Organization reported an estimated 19 million children are visually impaired. 5 – 10% of preschoolers and 25% of school-aged children have vision problems. Early identification of a child's vision problem is crucial because, if left untreated, some childhood vision problems can cause permanent vision loss.

Back To School !

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Sep 2013 19:16:00 +0000

It's that time of the year again. Parents and children are preparing for the annual back-to-school ritual. While shopping for new clothes and school supplies are all a part of the traditional preparation routine, parents should also consider adding something new to the back-to-school schedule - a quick check for any eye problems or symptoms of potential problems. Some things parents should look for include: Excessive Tearing This is often a sign of blocked tear ducts in children but other potential

problems could be light sensitivity, allergy, a scratched eye or something in the eye. Eye rubbing Many times this is a telltale sign of an allergy or habit. Parents need to

monitor eye rubbing as it can lead to damage the cornea, if not addressed. Discharge This is usually a telltale sign of infection. If a discharge is evident a trip to your family doctor or eye care professional is encouraged.

Pinkeye One of the most common eye maladies associated with children and school. Pinkeye describes the white of the eye being a shade of red due to inflammation and irritation of the conjunctival tissue overlying the white of the eye and the back of the eyelids. There are multiple causes for this, which include infection. In school-age children, it is not uncommon for a virus to be the cause. This is the pinkeye that can be very contagious when caused by adenovirus. While contagious, children with adenovirus should be removed from school. Contact with them should be minimal, particularly by anyone who has compromised immune system. In preschool children, infection causing pinkeye is usually bacterial and responds well to the appropriate antibiotic. Viral infection does not respond to antibiotics. Bacterial conjunctivitis is usually limited to several days, while adenovirus can last two weeks or more.

Squinting The most common cause for squinting is an uncorrected nearsightedness requiring glasses. Other children squint because light may be causing discomfort in an inflamed eye. Parents should check to see that both eyes are equally wide open.

Eye misalignment (Lazy Eye) Eye misalignment or lazy eye can be obvious or slightly difficult to detect. Your child may have limitations in eye movement and may adopt a head position to compensate for the misalignment.

Squinting might also be a side effect. Expect your child to have well-aligned eyes that move together over the full range of motion after 2 to 3 months of age. Droopy eyelid Known as ptosis, this usually occurs on a congenital basis and can be potentially severe. Causes include a weak muscle in the eyelid or sometimes a tumor in the affected eyelid. A droopy eyelid can be associated with poor vision and a visit

with an eye care professional is highly recommended. Possible treatments include glasses for nearsightedness and astigmatism, patching of the sound eye and surgical correction.

National Cataract Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 19:10:00 +0000

National Cataract Awareness Month Draws to Close, But Eye Protection from Sun Remains Crucial Even though National Cataract Awareness Month is drawing to a close, there is still a few weeks of summer left to enjoy. Even though summer might be winding down it is still very important to remember that too much exposure to the sun and not enough protection can potentially lead to cataracts. Cataracts current affect over 22 million Americans age 40 and older, and as the U.S. population ages, more than 30 million Americans are expected to have cataracts by the year 2020.

Remember, sun damage can occur any time of the year, not just during the summer. Some basic things to keep in mind to continue to protect your eyes from the sun are: 1. Wear UV blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats whenever outside for extended periods of time. 2. Clouds don't block the sun's damaging rays. 3. Consider any medication you are taking. Some medications - including birth control pills, tranquilizers and diuretics - can increase not just your eyes, but your entire body's, sensitivity to UV light. 4. Everyone is at risk. Make sure your children and older family members are all adequately protected from the sun. Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed on a daily basis in the U.S. Over 3 million cataract surgeries are performed each year and is a procedure with little to no pain, limited recovery time and many experience improved vision within 48 hours.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 01 Aug 2013 19:01:00 +0000

In the fast paced world we all live in, too often it feels like we don't have enough time to take care of our health the way we would like to. But making time to take care of some very important parts of your body isn't nearly as difficult as you might think. And while it's easy to forget about your eye health, especially if you aren't experiencing any difficulties or pain regarding your sight, you can't afford to take your eyesight for granted. Here are some quick suggestions for giving your eyes some of the attention they deserve to stay healthy. Don't take your eye health for granted. Protect your eyesight with these six tips: Quit Smoking While this might seem obvious as far as overall health goes, smoking increases your chances of macular degeneration, optic nerve damage and the likelihood of getting cataracts. Throw on Some Sunglasses Yes, they can make you look fashionable, but don't underestimate the value of a pair of sunglasses with UV protection. UV exposure increases your chances for cataracts and macular degeneration. When choosing sunglasses opt for the ones that block both UVA and UVB rays and steer clear of anything with less than a 99% effectiveness. Wraparound sunglasses offer even more protection. Protect Those Eyes Again, it might seem obvious, but too many people underestimate the importance to protecting their eyes when doing certain tasks at home, work or on the playing field. Too often safety glasses or goggles are overlooked during home repairs, especially when the project is increasing the amount of airborne material in a room. The same thing applies for many contact sports like hockey or basketball. A good pair of sports goggles with polycarbonate lenses can prevent a number of sports-related eye injuries.

Step Away from the Computer! (At least for a couple minutes...) Just like any other muscle in your body, your eyes need a rest too, especially after prolonged use. Staring at a computer screen for extended periods can cause all sorts of discomfort including: eyestrain, headaches, dry eyes and blurry vision. Every 20 to 30 minutes, give your eyes a short break by looking at something at a distance for approximately 30 seconds. Every two hours try and step away from the computer and the concentrated eye focus for 10 to 15 min. A good thing to consider is making sure your computer screen is free of any glare to reduce any unnecessary squinting. And keep your eyes lubricated through blinking or drops. Watch Your Diet! One of the easiest ways to keep your eye healthy is by watching what you put into your body. Recent studies indicate vitamins E and C may contribute to slowing age-related vision problems like macular degeneration and cataracts. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids (readily found in tuna, salmon and other oily fishes like sardines), zinc and lutein also help slow those problems. Try to increase your intake of leafy, green vegetables like spinach or kale and non-meat proteins like hummus, beans, nuts or eggs. The benefits of a good diet pay off in countless ways. While helping with overall health and a healthy weight, a good, well-balanced diet drastically decreases the chances of obesity-related diseases like diabetes, which is the leading cause of blindness in adults in the U.S.

Contact lenses

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 25 Jul 2013 18:57:00 +0000

When it comes to contact lenses - for both new and seasoned lens wearers - communication with your eye care professional is essential, but often overlooked. A short conversation can deliver plenty of valuable information to make your lens wearing experience trouble free. Your eye care professional is always ready to discuss routine exams, lens comfort and lens replacement, when needed. A recent survey conducted by Wakefield Research and sponsored by Alcon found that most contact lens wearers surveyed haven't had a conversation about lens care with their doctor in approximately three years. Some basic questions and topics to discuss regarding contact lens wear and care during your next appointment with your eye care professional are: 1. Choosing the lens solution that is right for you. While many believe that all lens care solutions are the same, that isn't accurate. Lens care solutions can be specifically designed for cleaning, rinsing, disinfecting and storing. Your eye care professional can guide you in selecting what would be the best lens care solution for you. 2. Considering a change in lens care solution brands? Before changing lens care solution brands, make sure to consult with your eye care professional. Make sure to mention any problems or concerns you are having with your current lens care solution.

3. Proper Cleaning of Contact Lenses and Lens Case is Essential There is nothing more important than proper lens care hygiene when it comes to your vision. A short review with your eye care professional of your lens care hygiene can keep your eye and lens health trouble free. Identifying problem areas like reusing solution or wearing lenses for longer than suggested can quickly be corrected. 4. When Should I replace my lens case? Is it clean? The easiest way to preserve the life of your lens case is to follow the care, cleaning and storage suggestion from the product manufacturer. Make sure to allow adequate drying time for the case each the lenses are removed. Storage cases should be replaced as directed by the manufacturer. 5. When should I replace my lenses? Your eye care professional can provide a contact lens replacement schedule. Avoid using lenses for longer than the recommended time suggested by the product manufacturer and your eye care professional as it can potentially lead to discomfort, pain and other eye health concerns.

Signs of AMD

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 07 Jul 2013 18:50:00 +0000

Age-related macular degeneration or AMD is an eye condition that usually affects older adults and leads to loss of vision in the center of the vision field called the macula - located in the retina. The macula helps you see small details clearly. Macular degeneration happens in "wet" or "dry" forms, with the majority of the people with the condition have the dry form. Macular degeneration, which occurs due to the aging and thinning of the tissues of the macula, generally starts with the formation of small yellow or white pieces of fatty protein, called drusen, under the retina. This progressively makes the macula thinner and leads to it not working properly.

Vision loss with dry macular degeneration is typically gradual. For those who develop the condition, careful monitoring of their central vision field is critical. Any changes to the vision field should prompt an immediate visit to your eye care professional as the condition can change to wet macular degeneration, the more damaging of the two conditions. Approximately 10 percent of people with macular degeneration have wet AMD. The wet form of macular degeneration happens when anomalous blood vessels begin to grow under the retina. These new blood vessels sometimes leak blood or fluid causing central vision to blur and distort. The longer these abnormal vessels continue to leak or grow, the more the risk of losing detailed vision. The faster wet macular degeneration is diagnosed and treated, the better the chances of saving as much of your central vision as possible, which is why it is best to meet with an eye care professional as quickly as possible if you are experiencing some of the signs and symptoms of AMD. Some of the Signs and Symptoms of Dry AMD are: Blank or blurry central vision Blurry distance vision Blurry reading vision Colors seem more pale than usual Need for increasingly bright light to see up close Colors appear less vivid or bright Trouble seeing when going from bright light to low light Some Signs and symptoms of Wet AMD are: Central vision loss The appearance of dark gray or blank spots in your vision The size of objects may seem different in each eye Distorted vision Less vibrant colors in your vision and colors looking different in each eye

Treating Astigmatism

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 18:45:00 +0000

Astigmatism is a fairly common eye problem and treating the disorder has equally common options that can quickly help correct blurred vision. These treatments, to deal with the uneven curvature of the cornea that is causing the blurred vision, include wearing some sort of corrective lenses or having corrective refractive surgery. Corrective lenses - whether eyeglasses or contacts - counteract the affects of the uneven curvature of the cornea. Eyeglasses also have the ability to compensate for other refractive problems like near or farsightedness. A consultation with your eye care professional can help decide which corrective lens is the best option for your situation. Refractive surgery, where a laser is used to reshape the surface of your eye, has become an everyday surgical procedure around the world with over 2 million laser eye surgeries performed globally each year. The surgery has an extremely high success rate with a fairly short recovery process. There are three laser surgery options for your eye care professional to recommend depending on your disorder. The most common is LASIK (Laser-assisted in-situ keratomileusis) when an eye surgeon makes a small cut, creating a flap in the cornea in order to reshape the cornea under the flap. LASEK (Laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis) surgery is also an option, when an eye surgeon uses a laser to make a much thinner flap in the cornea before reshaping the cornea. LASEK is used more often for people with a thin cornea, play sports or have a high risk of eye injuries at work. PRK (Photorefractive keratectomy) surgery is when an eye surgeon uses a laser to remove the protective outer layer of the cornea before changing the curvature of the cornea.

VSP Vision Care Launches National "Clicks for Kids" Campaign to Provide Eyecare to Big Brothers Big Sisters

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 18:35:00 +0000

It is estimated this year that approximately 15 million children will go back to school with undiagnosed vision issues. Not seeing properly impacts how a child performs both inside and outside the classroom, as 80 percent of what children learn is through their eyes. In light of these statistics, VSP Vision Care, the nation's leading not-for-profit vision care company, has created the "Clicks for Kids" campaign, which will provide up to 25,000 gift certificates for comprehensive vision exams and new glasses to Big Brothers Big Sisters programs nationwide – a total donation valued at close to $10 million. Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven to improve children's self-esteem and odds for succeeding in school. The mission of the VSP "Clicks for Kids" campaign is to help raise awareness about the role healthy vision plays in a child's success. People nationwide are encouraged to participate by visiting the "Clicks for Kids" page on SeeMuchMore.com and choosing to "click" to benefit either their local Big Brothers Big Sisters program or one with the greatest need. For every click sent, a gift certificate – valid for a free comprehensive eye exam and, if needed, a pair of glasses – will be donated by VSP to Big Brothers Big Sisters. To date, through VSP Eyes of Hope charity programs, including VSP Mobile Eyes and Sight for Students, and with partners including the American Red Cross and Optometry Giving Sight, VSP has invested close to $160 million in free eyecare and eyewear for close to 845,000 adults and children in need. These services have resulted in the early detection of chronic health and eye diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma and cataracts in nearly 10,000 people across the country. For more information about the VSP "Clicks for Kids" campaign and to participate, visit SeeMuchMore.com. The site also includes helpful information about the benefits of healthy vision plus eye health resources for parents and children. Also, you can watch a video on why the "Clicks for Kids" campaign was developed by clicking here.

What is a Cataract?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Cataract Defined

What is a Cataract?

A Cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. Most Cataracts are related to aging. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a Cataract or have had Cataract surgery.

A Cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other.

What is the lens?

The lens is a clear part of the eye that helps to focus light, or an image, on the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

In a normal eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once it reaches the retina, light is changed into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.

The lens must be clear for the retina to receive a sharp image. If the lens is cloudy from a Cataract, the image you see will be blurred.

Are there other types of Cataract?

Yes. Although most Cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of Cataract:

Secondary Cataract. Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes. Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use.
Traumatic Cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
Congenital Cataract. Some babies are born with Cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These Cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
Radiation Cataract. Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

Normal vision

The same scene as viewed by a person with Cataract

Conjunctivitis: Do antibiotics help?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:00:00 +0000

In more than half of all people who have conjunctivitis, the infection goes away without treatment within a week. Antibiotic eye drops or ointment can speed up recovery. Adverse effects are very rare.

Conjunctivitis makes people’s eyes red and inflamed. It often affects both eyes because the infection can easily spread from one eye to the other. Your eyes get watery and produce a yellowish-white discharge that makes your eyelids stick together. They may become very sore too. Conjunctivitis is contagious but often gets better within a week, even without any treatment. So it is often enough to simply wait.

Conjunctivitis is usually caused by bacteria or viruses. Because conjunctivitis usually goes away so quickly, though, it is generally not worth doing tests to find out if it is a bacterial or viral infection. Doctors often prescribe antibiotics just in case, in the form of eye drops or ointments. Antibiotics only work against bacteria, though, and not against viruses, so they are not always effective.

Some people use non-antibiotic eye drops. The use of cold or warm compresses is common too. But there is not enough research on these approaches to be able to say whether they have a benefit, no effect, or are possibly even harmful. Sometimes conjunctivitis is linked to an allergy. Then it is treated with allergy medicines like antihistamines.

Research on antibiotics in the treatment of conjunctivitis

Two groups of researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration (an international network of researchers) and from various universities in England, the Netherlands and Australia analyzed the results of trials on the treatment of conjunctivitis with antibiotics. They wanted to find out whether antibiotics help in the treatment of ordinary conjunctivitis, as well as which possible disadvantages they have.

The researchers only analyzed the results of studies that compared at least two groups of people. One group of people used antibiotic eye drops or ointments. The other group used non-antibiotic eye drops or ointments, or did not have any treatment at first. The researchers were only interested in studies in which the participants were randomly assigned to one of the treatment groups. This kind of study, called a randomized controlled trial, delivers the most reliable results. Read our information "Evidence-based medicine" to find out more about how good-quality trials are carried out.

The researchers found 12 trials, involving a total of about 4,000 people with conjunctivitis. Both children and adults participated in the trials.

Antibiotics can speed up recovery

Overall, the analysis of the trial results showed that conjunctivitis goes away somewhat faster if antibiotics are used. This is what was found for people who went to see their family doctor because they had conjunctivitis:

The infection cleared up within one week in 71 out of 100 people who did not use antibiotics.
The infection cleared up within that same amount of time in 80 out of 100 people who used antibiotics.

In other words, antibiotics were found to speed up recovery in 9 out of 100 people.

In studies that were carried out in a specialist practice, it took a little longer for the infection to clear up – both in the people who used antibiotics and in those who did not use antibiotics. One possible explanation for this is that people who go to see a specialist doctor probably have more severe cases of conjunctivitis. But the antibiotics had a similar beneficial effect to that found in the family doctor trials.

None of the trials reported that antibiotics had adverse effects. The trials did not look into whether antibiotics helped lower the risk of the infection spreading.

Recognizing signs of complications and avoiding the spread of infection

As already mentioned, conjunctivitis usually goes away without treatment. But some symptoms could be signs of more serious problems. These symptoms include worsening vision, increased sensitivity to light, the feeling that you have something in your eye, and a severe headache together with nausea. It is important to see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms.

In people who wear contact lenses, the infection can spread to the cornea (the clear surface of the eye itself). Inflammation of the cornea, also known as keratitis, is not common though: it is estimated that conjunctivitis leads to keratitis in about 3 out of every 10,000 contact lens wearers. In the trials that the researchers included in their analysis, none of the participants developed keratitis.

If conjunctivitis is caused by viruses it can be highly contagious and hard to get rid of. But there are several things that can be done to try to stop viral infections from spreading. Because the virus is easily spread through finger contact, it is important to avoid touching your eyes with your hands, and to wash your hands if you do accidentally touch your eyes. It is also a good idea to have your own towels and washcloths, and not to share them with other people. Another important way to protect others from infection is by not shaking hands with them and not touching their face.

Original Article found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0005040/

Published by the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG)Next planned update:
October 2015. You can find out more about how our health information is updated in our text "Informed Health Online: How our information is produced".

References

IQWiG health information is based on research in the international literature. We identify the most scientifically reliable knowledge currently available, particularly what are known as “systematic reviews”. These summarize and analyze the results of scientific research on the benefits and harms of treatments and other health care interventions. This helps medical professionals and people who are affected by the medical condition to weigh up the pros and cons. You can read more about systematic reviews and why these can provide the most trustworthy evidence about the state of knowledge in our information "Evidence-based medicine". We also have our health information reviewed to ensure medical and scientific accuracy.
Jefferis J, Perera R, Everitt H, van Weert H, Rietveld R, Glasziou P et al. Acute infective conjunctivitis in primary care: who needs antibiotics? An individual patient data meta-analysis. Br J Gen Pract 2011; 61(590): e542-548. [Full text]
Sheikh A, Hurwitz B, van Schayck CP, McLean S, Nurmatov U. Antibiotics versus placebo for acute bacterial conjunctivitis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012; (9): CD001211. [Summary]

Eye Movements Reveal Reading Impairments in Schizophrenia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 22:03:00 +0000

A study of eye movements in schizophrenia patients provides new evidence of impaired reading fluency in individuals with the mental illness.

The findings, by researchers at McGill University in Montreal, could open avenues to earlier detection and intervention for people with the illness.

While schizophrenia patients are known to have abnormalities in language and in eye movements, until recently reading ability was believed to be unaffected. That is because most previous studies examined reading in schizophrenia using single-word reading tests, the McGill researchers conclude. Such tests aren't sensitive to problems in reading fluency, which is affected by the context in which words appear and by eye movements that shift attention from one word to the next.

The McGill study, led by Ph.D. candidate Veronica Whitford and psychology professors Debra Titone and Gillian A. O'Driscoll, monitored how people move their eyes as they read simple sentences. The results, which were first published online last year, appear in the February issue of the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General.

eye movement measures provide clear and objective indicators of how hard people are working as they read. For example, when struggling with a difficult sentence, people generally make smaller eye movements, spend more time looking at each word, and spend more time re-reading words. They also have more difficulty attending to upcoming words, so they plan their eye movements less efficiently.

The McGill study, which involved 20 schizophrenia outpatients and 16 non-psychiatric participants, showed that reading patterns in people with schizophrenia differed in several important ways from healthy participants matched for gender, age, and family social status. People with schizophrenia read more slowly, generated smaller eye movements, spent more time processing individual words, and spent more time re-reading. In addition, people with schizophrenia were less efficient at processing upcoming words to facilitate reading.

The researchers evaluated factors that could contribute to the problems in reading fluency among the schizophrenia outpatients -- specifically, their ability to parse words into sound components and their ability to skillfully control eye movements in non-reading contexts. Both factors were found to contribute to the reading deficits.

"Our findings suggest that measures of reading difficulty, combined with other information such as family history, may help detect people in the early stages of schizophrenia -- and thereby enable earlier intervention," Whitford says.

Moreover, fluent reading is a crucial life skill, and in people with schizophrenia, there is a strong relationship between reading skill and the extent to which they can function independently, the researchers note. "Improving reading through intervention in people with schizophrenia may be important to improving their ability to function in society," Titone adds.

Article republished from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/02/130219121451.htm

Vitreous Detachment

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 20:06:00 +0000

What is vitreous detachment?

Most of the eye's interior is filled with vitreous, a gel-like substance that helps the eye maintain a round shape. There are millions of fine fibers intertwined within the vitreous that are attached to the surface of the retina, the eye's light-sensitive tissue. As we age, the vitreous slowly shrinks, and these fine fibers pull on the retinal surface. Usually the fibers break, allowing the vitreous to separate and shrink from the retina. This is avitreous detachment.
In most cases, a vitreous detachment, also known as a posterior vitreous detachment, is not sight-threatening and requires no treatment.

Risk Factors

Who is at risk for vitreous detachment?

A vitreous detachment is a common condition that usually affects people over age 50, and is very common after age 80. People who are nearsighted are also at increased risk. Those who have a vitreous detachment in one eye are likely to have one in the other, although it may not happen until years later.

Symptoms and Detection

What are the symptoms of vitreous detachment?

As the vitreous shrinks, it becomes somewhat stringy, and the strands can cast tiny shadows on the retina that you may notice as floaters, which appear as little "cobwebs" or specks that seem to float about in your field of vision. If you try to look at these shadows they appear to quickly dart out of the way.
One symptom of a vitreous detachment is a small but sudden increase in the number of new floaters. This increase in floaters may be accompanied by flashes of light (lightning streaks) in your peripheral, or side, vision. In most cases, either you will not notice a vitreous detachment, or you will find it merely annoying because of the increase in floaters.

How is vitreous detachment detected?

The only way to diagnose the cause of the problem is by a comprehensive dilated eye examination. If the vitreous detachment has led to a macular hole or detached retina, early treatment can help prevent loss of vision.

Treatment

How does vitreous detachment affect vision?

Although a vitreous detachment does not threaten sight, once in a while some of the vitreous fibers pull so hard on the retina that they create amacular hole to or lead to a retinal detachment. Both of these conditions are sight-threatening and should be treated immediately.
If left untreated, a macular hole or detached retina can lead to permanent vision loss in the affected eye. Those who experience a sudden increase in floaters or an increase in flashes of light in peripheral vision should have an eye care professional examine their eyes as soon as possible.
Article republished from http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/vitreous/vitreous.asp#a

Who is likely to develop Dry Eye?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 19:50:00 +0000

Who is likely to develop Dry Eye?

Elderly people frequently experience dryness of the eyes, but Dry Eye can occur at any age. Nearly five million Americans 50 years of age and older are estimated to have Dry Eye. Of these, more than three million are women and more than one and a half million are men. Tens of millions more have less severe symptoms. Dry Eye is more common after menopause. Women who experience menopause prematurely are more likely to have eye surface damage from Dry Eye.

Treatment

How is Dry Eye treated?

Depending on the causes of Dry Eye, your doctor may use various approaches to relieve the symptoms.

Dry Eye can be managed as an ongoing condition. The first priority is to determine if a disease is the underlying cause of the Dry Eye (such as Sjögren's syndrome or lacrimal and meibomian gland dysfunction). If it is, then the underlying disease needs to be treated.

Cyclosporine, an anti-inflammatory medication, is the only prescription drug available to treat Dry Eye. It decreases corneal damage, increases basic tear production, and reduces symptoms of Dry Eye. It may take three to six months of twice-a-day dosages for the medication to work. In some cases of severe Dry Eye, short term use of corticosteroid eye drops that decrease inflammation is required.

If Dry Eye results from taking a medication, your doctor may recommend switching to a medication that does not cause the Dry Eye side effect.

If contact lens wear is the problem, your eye care practitioner may recommend another type of lens or reducing the number of hours you wear your lenses. In the case of severe Dry Eye, your eye care professional may advise you not to wear contact lenses at all.

Another option is to plug the drainage holes, small circular openings at the inner corners of the eyelids where tears drain from the eye into the nose. Lacrimal plugs, also called punctal plugs, can be inserted painlessly by an eye care professional. The patient usually does not feel them. These plugs are made of silicone or collagen, are reversible, and are a temporary measure. In severe cases, permanent plugs may be considered.

In some cases, a simple surgery, called punctal cautery, is recommended to permanently close the drainage holes. The procedure helps keep the limited volume of tears on the eye for a longer period of time.

In some patients with Dry Eye, supplements or dietary sources (such as tuna fish) of omega-3 fatty acids (especially DHA and EPA) may decrease symptoms of irritation. The use and dosage of nutritional supplements and vitamins should be discussed with your primary medical doctor.

What can I do to help myself?

Use artificial tears, gels, gel inserts, and ointments - available over the counter - as the first line of therapy. They offer temporary relief and provide an important replacement of naturally produced tears in patients with aqueous tear deficiency. Avoid artificial tears with preservatives if you need to apply them more than four times a day or preparations with chemicals that cause blood vessels to constrict.
Wearing glasses or sunglasses that fit close to the face (wrap around shades) or that have side shields can help slow tear evaporation from the eye surfaces. Indoors, an air cleaner to filter dust and other particles helps prevent Dry Eyes. A humidifier also may help by adding moisture to the air.
Avoid dry conditions and allow your eyes to rest when performing activities that require you to use your eyes for long periods of time. Instill lubricating eye drops while performing these tasks.

Article republished from: http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/dryeye/dryeye.asp

Win Your Dream Pair of Glasses!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 14:54:00 +0000

You could win your dream pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses from one of 20 Vision Source Locations and a $500 Visa gift card!

Here’s how: Between now and December 31^st, visit one of our offices, click HERE for our Doctor locator, and have our staff take a picture of you in your favorite frames from our display cases, ask your friends and family to vote for your picture by going to the practice's Facebook page and clicking on the My Dream Pair tab.

The person with the most votes on December 31^st will win the frames they are pictured in and become eligible to win the gift card!

We care about your vision and will provide useful, up-to-date information regarding eye health and related issues. We also want to have fun with it and will keep you posted on what’s new around the office. Got a comment or question? Let us know. Our Facebook page will allow us to better serve you and keep you informed with the latest eye-related news.

Check this out! Visit one our offices between now and December 31^st to receive up to $300 off your family’s contact lenses and glasses! Ask us how!

Click HERE to check out our Facebook page and “Like” us.

See you on Facebook!

What Is Orthokeratology?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 16:41:00 +0000

What Is Orthokeratology?

In the most basic of terms Accelerated Overnight Orthokeratology or Ortho-k is the science of changing the curvature or shape of the cornea to change how light is focused on the retina at the back of one's eye.

Think of the cornea as the eye's equivalent of a watch crystal. It is a clear, dome shaped structure that overlies the colored iris. Its tissue is most similar to clear, wet skin; and like skin it is very pliable. Because the cornea separates the eye from air and the rest of the outside world and because it has a curvature that bends light towards the back of the eye, it is responsible for most of the eye's corrective power and contributes to various conditions such as nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), and the blur of astigmatism.

When you choose Ortho-k a few key tests must be performed. Chief among these tests is the determination that your eyes are healthy. The Orthokeratologist will examine the retina and also the health of the outside of the eye. The other key procedure is the mapping of your cornea. To do this an instrument called a Topographer is used. Just like a topographical map of a camping area show hills, plains, and valleys; the topography of the eye shows your doctor exactly how your cornea is shaped. The information from your corneal mapping plus the size of your cornea and the prescription needed to correct your vision are all used to design the retainer lenses (corneal molds) needed to create the Ortho-k effect.

On the day you pick up your Ortho-k retainer lenses you will be instructed in how to insert, remove, and take care your vision retainers. The fit of your retainers will be evaluated and you will be scheduled to be seen after your first night of wear. On day 1, your doctor will re-evaluate your fit and newly corrected vision and another mapping of your cornea will be performed.

Throughout your initial fitting period, your Orthokeratologist will monitor your corneal health and the effectiveness of treatment. At certain times your retainer lens fit may be modified to achieve your goals.

Orthokeratology can produce results in a surprisingly short period of time. The length of treatment to achieve your goals can vary from patient to patient. Factors which can affect the speed of treatment include:

your initial prescription
corneal rigidity
tear quality and quantity
your expectations.

We advise patients that they may need to use their retainers every night to maintain their newly corrected vision although some patients are able to vary their wearing time to once every two to four nights. The reason for this is due to the flexibility of your cornea.

What is Glaucoma?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions that lead to damage to the optic nerve. This nerve carries visual information from the eye to the brain.

In most cases, damage to the optic nerve is due to increased pressure in the eye, also known as intraocular pressure (IOP).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the United States. There are four major types of glaucoma:

Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma
Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma
Congenital glaucoma
Secondary glaucoma

The front part of the eye is filled with a clear fluid called aqueous humor. This fluid is always being made behind the colored part of the eye (the iris). It leaves the eye through channels in the front of the eye in an area called the anterior chamber angle, or simply the angle.

Anything that slows or blocks the flow of this fluid out of the eye will cause pressure to build up in the eye. This pressure is called intraocular pressure (IOP). In most cases of glaucoma, this pressure is high and causes damage to the optic nerve.

Open-angle (chronic) glaucoma is the most common type of glaucoma.

The cause is unknown. An increase in eye pressure occurs slowly over time. The pressure pushes on the optic nerve.
Open-angle glaucoma tends to run in families. Your risk is higher if you have a parent or grandparent with open-angle glaucoma. People of African descent are at particularly high risk for this disease.

Angle-closure (acute) glaucoma occurs when the exit of the aqueous humor fluid is suddenly blocked. This causes a quick, severe, and painful rise in the pressure in the eye.

Angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency. This is very different from open-angle glaucoma, which painlessly and slowly damages vision.
If you have had acute glaucoma in one eye, you are at risk for an attack in the second eye, and your doctor is likely to recommend preventive treatment.
Dilating eye drops and certain medications may trigger an acute glaucoma attack.

Congenital glaucoma is seen in babies. It often runs in families (is inherited).

It is present at birth.
It is caused by abnormal eye development.

Secondary glaucoma is caused by:

Drugs such as corticosteroids
Eye diseases such as uveitis
Systemic diseases
Trauma

Symptoms

OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA

Most people have no symptoms
Once vision loss occurs, the damage is already severe
There is a slow loss of side (peripheral) vision (also called tunnel vision)
Advanced glaucoma can lead to blindness

ANGLE-CLOSURE GLAUCOMA

Symptoms may come and go at first, or steadily become worse
Sudden, severe pain in one eye
Decreased or cloudy vision, often called "steamy" vision
Nausea and vomiting
Rainbow-like halos around lights
Red eye
Eye feels swollen

CONGENITAL GLAUCOMA

Symptoms are usually noticed when the child is a few months old
Cloudiness of the front of the eye
Enlargement of one eye or both eyes
Red eye
Sensitivity to light
Tearing

Signs and tests

A complete eye exam is needed to diagnose glaucoma. You may be given eye drop to widen (dilate) your pupil. The eye doctor can look at the inside of the eye when the pupil is dilated.

A test called (tonometry) is done to check eye pressure. However, eye pressure always changes. Eye pressure can be normal in some people with glaucoma. This is called normal-tension glaucoma. Your doctor will need to run other tests to confirm glaucoma.

Some of the tests your doctor may do can include:

Using a special lens to look at the eye (gonioscopy)
Photographs or laser scanning images of the inside of the eye (optic nerve imaging)
Examination of the retina in the back of the eye
Slit lamp examination
Visual acuity
Visual field measurement

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to reduce eye pressure. Treatment depends on the type of glaucoma that you have.

If you have open-angle glaucoma, you will probably be given eye drops. You may need more than one type. Most people can be treated successfully with eye drops. Most of the eye drops used today have fewer side effects than those used in the past. You may also be given pills to lower pressure in the eye.

Other treatments may involve:

Laser therapy called an iridotomy
Eye surgery if other treatments do not work

Acute angle-closure attack is a medical emergency. Blindness will occur in a few days if it is not treated. If you have angle-closure glaucoma, you will receive:

Eye drops
Medicines to lower eye pressure, given by mouth and through a vein (by IV)

Some people also need an emergency operation, called an iridotomy. This procedure uses a laser to open a new pathway in the colored part of the eye. This relieves pressure and prevents another attack.

Congenital glaucoma is almost always treated with surgery. This is done using general anesthesia. This means the patient is asleep and feels no pain.

If you have secondary glaucoma, treatment of the underlying disease may help your symptoms go away. Other treatments may be needed.

Expectations (prognosis)

Open-angle glaucoma cannot be cured. However, you can manage your symptoms by closely following your doctor's instructions. Regular check-ups are needed to prevent blindness.

Angle-closure glaucoma is a medical emergency. You need treatment right away to save your vision.

Babies with congenital glaucoma usually do well when surgery is done early.

How well a person with secondary glaucoma does depends on the disease causing the condition.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have severe eye pain or a sudden loss of vision, especially loss of peripheral vision.

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have risk factors for glaucoma and have not been screened for the condition.

Prevention

All adults should have a complete eye exam before age 40, or sooner if you have risk factors for glaucoma or other eye problems. You are more likely to get glaucoma if you are African American or have a family history of open-angle glaucoma.

If you are at high risk for acute glaucoma, talk to your doctor about having eye surgery to prevent an attack.

Future Treatment for Nearsightedness - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 20:32:00 +0000

Future Treatment for Nearsightedness - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs?

ScienceDaily (May 8, 2012) - Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham hope to one day use fluorescent light bulbs to slow nearsightedness, which affects 40 percent of American adults and can cause blindness.

In an early step in that direction, results of a study found that small increases in daily artificial light slowed the development of nearsightedness by 40 percent in tree shrews, which are close relatives of primates.

The team, led by Thomas Norton, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Vision Sciences, presented the study results May 8 at the 2012 Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology annual meeting in Ft. Lauderdale.

People can see clearly because the front part of the eye bends light and focuses it on the retina in back. Nearsightedness, also called myopia, occurs when the physical length of the eye is too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina and blurring images.

Myopia has many causes, some related to inheritance and some to the environment. Research in recent years had, for instance, suggested that children who spent more time outdoors, presumably in brighter outdoor light, had less myopia as young adults. That raised the question of whether artificial light, like sunlight, could help reduce myopia development, without the risks of prolonged sun exposure, such as skin cancer and cataracts.

"Our hope is to develop programs that reduce the rate of myopia using energy efficient, fluorescent lights for a few hours each day in homes or classrooms," said John Siegwart, Ph.D., research assistant professor in UAB Vision Sciences and co-author of the study. "Trying to prevent myopia by fixing defective genes through gene therapy or using a drug is a multi-year, multimillion-dollar effort with no guarantee of success. We hope to make a difference just with light bulbs."

Sorting through theories

Work over 25 years had shown that putting a goggle over one eye of a study animal, one that lets in light but blurs images, causes the eye to grow too long, which in turn causes myopia. Other past studies had shown that elevated light levels could reduce myopia under these conditions, whether the light was produced by halogen lamps, metal halide bulbs or daylight. The current study is the first to show that the development of myopia can be slowed by increasing daily fluorescent light levels.

One prevailing theory on myopia-related shape changes in the eye is that they are caused by the blurriness of images experienced while reading or doing other near-work chores. Another holds some people develop myopia because they have low levels of vitamin D, which goes up with exposure to sunlight and could explain the connection between outdoor light and reduced myopia. A third theory, one reinforced by the current results, is that bright light causes an increase in levels of dopamine, a signaling molecule in the retina.

To test the theories, the team used a goggle that lets in light but no images to produce myopia in one eye of each tree shrew. They found that a group exposed to elevated fluorescent light levels for eight hours per day developed 47 percent less myopia than a control group exposed to normal indoor lighting, even though the images were neither more nor less blurry. They also found that animals fed vitamin D supplements developed myopia just like ones without the supplement. Given these results, the team is now experimenting with light levels and treatment times to see if a short, bright light treatment could be effective. They have also begun studies looking at the effect of elevated light on retinal dopamine levels as it relates to the reduction of myopia.

"If we can find the best kind of light, treatment period and light level, we'll have the scientific justification to begin studies raising light levels in schools, for instance," said Norton. "Compact fluorescent bulbs use much less electricity than standard light bulbs, and future programs raising light levels will have more impact the less expensive they are."

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120508163228.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by University of Alabama at Birmingham, via Newswise. The original article was written by Greg Williams.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

New Eye Imaging Techniques Are On the Horizon

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 17:28:00 +0000

New Eye Imaging Techniques Are On the Horizon

ScienceDaily (May 7, 2012) - The same technology used by astronomers to obtain clear views of distant stars is now being used by optometrists to perform incredibly detailed examinations of the living Eye.

An update on new developments in ocular imaging techniques -- and how they may affect clinical vision care in the not-too-distant future -- is presented in an article titled "Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscope-based Microperimetry" published in a special May issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.

Cutting-edge techniques now allow researchers to visualize the fine structure of the Eye in a way that was "not conceivable 20 years ago," according to a guest editorial by Scott Read OD PhD FAAO (Candidate) and colleagues. "As these advanced imaging methods continue to develop, the potential for imaging ocular structures down to the cellular level in everyday clinical practice has become a reality -- and the potential to improve patient care is truly stunning," Dr Read and coauthors add.

New Techniques Provide Cellular-Level Images of the Living Eye The special issue presents 30 reports on the latest, most advanced techniques for imaging and measurement of various Eye structures: the retina and optic nerve, lens and ciliary body, and the anterior Eye. Written by leading researchers and clinicians, the contributions provide a fascinating look at these remarkable new technologies, with a glimpse of their likely extensions into clinical practice.

As just one example, William S. Tuten, OD, MS, and colleagues of the University of California, Berkeley, report on the development and use of an "adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscope." Adaptive optics refers to the use of advanced techniques to correct for optical aberrations through any transparent media. Originally developed for use in telescopes to correct for the distorting effects of the atmosphere, adaptive optics is now being applied to evaluating the structure and function of the human eye.

Dr. Tuten and colleagues have applied adaptive optics to perimetry -- also known as visual field testing -- on the microscopic scale. Perimetry is an important part of evaluation for patients with vision disorders including macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, and diabetic retinopathy. Perimetry measures vision in all parts of the visual field, including the peripheral vision.

Promising Applications to Improve Clinical Vision Care The new paper describes (and illustrates) the use of adaptive optics-guided microperimtery to assess visual fields at an unprecedented level of detail. The technique can not only show limitations in visual fields, but can trace the defect to individual retinal photoreceptor cells. High-speed tracking is used to correct for normal eye movement, or "jitter," that is practically undetectable using conventional imaging techniques.

In addition, by using microscopic blood vessels as anatomical landmarks, the adaptive optics technique permits repeated studies to be repeated over time at a high level of precision. This offers unique opportunities for studying how treatments work on the cellular level, as well as following the effects of treatment over time in individual patients.

"This technique opens new horizons for clinician-scientists, and later clinicians, to better understand, and plot out, the relationships between vision and the retinal photoreceptors at a microscopic level," comments Anthony Adams, OD, PhD, Editor-in-Chief of Optometry and Vision Science. "It enables a new understanding of vision loss in patients with retinal disorders where there are discrete photoreceptor losses -- for example, macular degeneration."

Adaptive optics-guided microperimetery and other advanced imaging technologies described in the special issue have the potential to revolutionize the management of eye diseases, Dr. Read and colleagues believe. They conclude, "With ongoing improvements in imaging speed and resolution, and with the application of innovative methods to improve the clinical usefulness of ocular imaging techniques, the future of ocular imaging is bright!"

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120507132017.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Women Have Bigger Pupils Than Men

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Wed, 23 May 2012 18:09:00 +0000

Women Have Bigger Pupils Than Men

ScienceDaily (Apr. 26, 2012) - From an anatomical point of view, a normal, non-pathological eye is known as an emmetropic eye, and has been studied very little until now in comparison with myopic and hypermetropic eyes. The results show that healthy emmetropic women have a wider Pupil diameter than men.

Normal, non-pathological emmetropic eyes are the most common type amongst the population (43.2%), with a percentage that swings between 60.6% in children from three to eight years and 29% in those older than 66.

Therefore, a study determines their anatomical pattern so that they serve as a model for comparison with eyes that have refractive defects (myopia, hypermetropia and stigmatism) pathological eyes (such as those that have cataracts).

"We know very little about emmetropic eyes even though they should be used for comparisons with myopic and hypermetropic eyes" Juan Alberto Sanchis-Gimeno, researcher at the University of Valencia and lead author of the study explained.

The project, published in the journal 'Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy' shows the values by gender for the central corneal thickness, minimum total corneal thickness, white to white distance and Pupil diameter in a sample of 379 emmetropic subjects.

"It is the first study that analyses these anatomical indexes in a large sample of healthy emmetropic subjects" Sanchis-Gimeno states. In recent years new technologies have been developed, such as corneal elevation topography, which allows us to increase our understanding of in vivo ocular anatomy.

Although the research states that there are no big differences between most of the parameters analysed, healthy emmetropic women have a wider Pupil diameter than men.

"It will be necessary to investigate as to whether there are differences in the anatomical indexes studied between emmetropic, myopic and hypermetropic eyes, and between populations of different ethnic origin" the researcher concludes.

How the human eye works

Light penetrates through the Pupil, crosses the crystalline lens and is projected onto the retina, where the photoreceptor cells turn it into nerve impulses, and it is transferred through the optic nerve to the brain. Rays of light should refract so that they can penetrate the eye and can be focused on the retina. Most of the refraction occurs in the cornea, which has a fixed curvature.

The Pupil is a dilatable and contractile opening that regulates the amount of light that reaches the retina. The size of the Pupil is controlled by two muscles: the Pupillary sphincter, which closes it, and the Pupillary dilator, which opens it. Its diameter is between 3 and 4.5 millimetres in the human eye, although in the dark it could reach up to between 5 and 9 millimetres.

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426104953.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Plataforma SINC, via AlphaGalileo.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Study Links Genes to Common Forms of Glaucoma

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Study Links Genes to Common Forms of Glaucoma

ScienceDaily (Apr. 26, 2012) - Results from the largest genetic study of Glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness and vision loss worldwide, showed that two genetic variations are associated with primary open angle Glaucoma (POAG), a common form of the disease. The identification of genes responsible for this disease is the first step toward the development of gene-based disease detection and treatment.

About 2.2 million people in the U.S. have Glaucoma. POAG is often associated with increased eye pressure but about one-third of patients have normal pressure Glaucoma (NPG). Currently, no curative treatments exist for NPG.

Researchers including lead author Janey Wiggs, M.D., Ph.D., and Lou Pasquale, M.D., Co-Directors of the Harvard Glaucoma Center of Excellence, analyzed DNA sequences of 6,633 participants, half of whom had POAG. Participants were part of two NIH-funded studies: GLAUGEN (Glaucoma Genes and Environment) and NEIGHBOR (NEI Glaucoma Human genetics collaBORation), conducted at 12 sites in the United States. Dr. Pasquale is Director of the Glaucoma Service at Mass. Eye and Ear.

The results, reported online in PLoS Genetics (April 26, 2012), found that two variations were associated with POAG, including NPG. These are the first variants commonly associated with NPG. One variant is in a gene located on chromosome 9 called CDKN2BAS whereas the other variant is in a region of chromosome 8 where it may affect the expression of genes LRP12 or ZFPM2. These genes may interact with transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), a molecule that regulates cell growth and survival throughout the body. Previous studies have also implicated TGF-beta in Glaucoma.

"This research has provided important new insights into the disease pathogenesis and will make future studies focused on translating this information into the clinic possible. Ultimately we hope to prevent blindness caused by this very common eye disease," said lead author Dr. Wiggs.

"This study has identified an important molecular pathway in the development of POAG. Control of TGF-beta might lead to more effective therapies for this blinding disease," said Dr. Hemin Chin, associate director for Ophthalmic Genetics at the National Eye Institute.

Funding sources for this research include the National Eye Institute, National Human Genome Research Institute, Lions Eye Research Fund, Glaucoma Center of Excellence, the Margolis Fund, and Research To Prevent Blindness.

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/04/120426174104.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

New Treatment For Age-Related Macular Degeneration Within Sight

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:59:00 +0000

New Treatment For Age-Related Macular Degeneration Within Sight

With 8 million people at high risk for advanced age-related Macular Degeneration, researchers from Harvard and Japan discovered that the experimental drug, endostatin, may be the cure. A research report describes how giving endostatin to mice significantly reduced or eliminated abnormal blood vessel growth within the eye, which is ultimately why the disease causes blindness.

"Our study provides intriguing findings that may lead to a better treatment of age-related Macular Degeneration," said Alexander Marneros, the first author of the report, "but clinical studies in patients with age-related Macular Degeneration are still necessary."

In this study, researchers describe testing the effects of endostatin on mice lacking this naturally occurring substance. The mice without endostatin were about three times more likely to develop advanced age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) than normal mice. Then the researchers administered endostatin to both sets of mice. In the mice lacking endostatin, the number of abnormal blood vessels that cause AMD were reduced to normal levels. In control mice with normal levels of endostatin, the number of abnormal blood vessels were practically undetectable.

"With Baby Boomers reaching advanced ages, new treatments are desperately needed to keep age-related Macular Degeneration from becoming a national epidemic," said Gerald Weissmann, MD, Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal. "This research provides hope for those at risk for blindness, and it gives everyone another glimpse of how investments in molecular biology will ultimately pay off in terms of new treatments and cures."

AMD is a progressive disease that affects the part of the eye that allows people to see fine details. The disease gradually destroys sharp, central vision, and in advanced stages ultimately leads to total blindness. Abnormal blood vessel growth, also known as angiogenesis, is a hallmark of advanced AMD. These faulty blood vessels leak fluids and blood, causing catastrophic vision loss.

As the name implies, risk for age-related Macular Degeneration increases with age, and 8 million people are considered to be at high risk for the disease. Of these individuals, approximately 1 to 1.3 million will develop advanced AMD within the next five years. Endostatin is an experimental drug, which is currently being tested to stop cancer in people by restricting the formation of abnormal blood vessels supply blood to tumors. Endostatin is a protein in collagen, and while collagen is used in a range of products for skin care to gelatin desserts, consumption or use of these products does not have any effect on tumors or AMD.

Weissmann added, "This research proves once and for all that endostatin functions as the body's own natural inhibitor of new blood vessel growth as Judah Folkman of Harvard predicted."

This research was published in the December 2007 issue of The FASEB Journal.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/11/071129142449.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Vitamin D Could Help Combat the Effects of Aging in Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:37:00 +0000

Vitamin D Could Help Combat the Effects of Aging in Eyes

ScienceDaily (Jan. 17, 2012) — Researchers funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) have found that vitamin D reduces the effects of aging in mouse Eyes and improves the vision of older mice significantly. The researchers hope that this might mean that vitamin D supplements could provide a simple and effective way to combat age-related eye diseases, such as macular degeneration (AMD), in people.

The research was carried out by a team from the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London and is published in the current issue of the journal Neurobiology of Ageing.

Professor Glen Jeffery, who led the work, explains "In the back of the Eyes of mammals, like mice and humans, is a layer of tissue called the retina. Cells in the retina detect light as it comes into the Eyes and then send messages to the brain, which is how we see. This is a demanding job, and the retina actually requires proportionally more energy than any other tissue in the body, so it has to have a good supply of blood. However, with aging the high energy demand produces debris and there is progressive inflammation even in normal animals. In humans this can result in a decline of up to 30% in the numbers of light receptive cells in the eye by the time we are 70 and so lead to poorer vision."

The researchers found that when old mice were given vitamin D for just six weeks, inflammation was reduced, the debris partially removed, and tests showed that their vision was improved.

The researchers identified two changes taking place in the Eyes of the mice that they think accounted for this improvement. Firstly, the number of potentially damaging cells, called macrophages, were reduced considerably in the Eyes of the mice given vitamin D. Macrophages are an important component of our immune systems where they work to fight off infections. However in combating threats to the aged body they can sometimes bring about damage and inflammation. Giving mice vitamin D not only led to reduced numbers of macrophages in the eye, but also triggered the remaining macrophages to change to a different configuration. Rather than damaging the eye the researchers think that in their new configuration macrophages actively worked to reduce inflammation and clear up debris.

The second change the researchers saw in the eyes of mice given vitamin D was a reduction in deposits of a toxic molecule called amyloid beta that accumulates with age. Inflammation and the accumulation of amyloid beta are known to contribute, in humans, to an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the largest cause of blindness in people over 50 in the developed world. The researchers think that, based on their findings in mice, giving vitamin D supplements to people who are at risk of AMD might be a simple way of helping to prevent the disease.

Professor Jeffery said "When we gave older mice the vitamin D we found that deposits of amyloid beta were reduced in their eyes and the mice showed an associated improvement of vision. People might have heard of amyloid beta as being linked to Alzheimer's disease and new evidence suggests that vitamin D could have a role in reducing its build up in the brain. So, when we saw this effect in the eyes as well, we immediately wondered where else these deposits might be being reduced."

Professor Jeffery and his team then went on to study some of the blood vessels of their mice. They found that the mice that had been given the vitamin D supplement also had significantly less amyloid beta built up in their blood vessels, including in the aorta.

Professor Jeffery continues "Finding that amyloid deposits were reduced in the blood vessels of mice that had been given vitamin D supplements suggests that vitamin D could be useful in helping to prevent a range of age-related health problems, from deteriorating vision to heart disease."

Professor Jeffery thinks that this link between vitamin D and a range of age-related diseases might be linked to our evolutionary history. For much of human history our ancestors lived in Africa, probably without clothes, and so were exposed to strong sunlight all year round. This would have triggered vitamin D production in the skin. Humans have only moved to less sunny parts of the world and adopted clothing relatively recently and so might not be well adapted to reduced exposure to the sun. Secondly, life expectancy in the developed world has increased greatly over the past few centuries, so reduced exposure to vitamin D is now coupled with exceptionally long lifespan.

Professor Jeffery said "Researchers need to run full clinical trials in humans before we can say confidently that older people should start taking vitamin D supplements, but there is growing evidence that many of us in the Western world are deficient in vitamin D and this could be having significant health implications."

Professor Douglas Kell, BBSRC Chief Executive said "Many people are living to an unprecedented old age in the developed world. All too often though, a long life does not mean a healthy one and the lives of many older people are blighted by ill health as parts of their bodies start to malfunction.

"If we are to have any hope of ensuring that more people can enjoy a healthy, productive retirement then we must learn more about the changes that take place as animals age. This research shows how close study of one part of the body can lead scientists to discover new knowledge that is more widely applicable. By studying the fundamental biology of one organ scientists can begin to draw links between a number of diseases in the hope of developing preventive strategies."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120117145234.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

How Does Nearsightedness Develop in Children?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 22:54:00 +0000

How Does Nearsightedness Develop in Children?

ScienceDaily (Mar. 1, 2012) - Myopia (Nearsightedness) develops in children when the lens stops compensating for continued growth of the eye, according to a study in the March issue of Optometry and Vision Science, official journal of the American Academy of Optometry.

The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.

Using detailed information on eye growth and vision changes in children over time, the new research shows "decoupling" of lens adaptation from eye growth about a year before myopia occurs. Donald O. Mutti, OD, PhD, of The Ohio State University College of Optometry, is lead author of the new study.

Growth Imbalance Leads to Myopia…

The researchers analyzed repeated measurements of vision and eye growth performed over several years in children aged 6 to 14. The study focused on the growth of the two key parts of the eye affecting normal vision: the cornea, the transparent front part that lets light into the eye; and the lens, located behind the cornea, which focuses light rays on the retina at the back of the eye.

Myopia or Nearsightedness -- difficulty seeing objects at a distance -- develops in about 34% of American children as they grow. Vision professionals and scientists typically think of myopia as a problem occurring when the eyeball becomes too long (front to back) for the optical power of the cornea and lens.

However, it has been unclear how this imbalance develops in children who previously had normal vision. To answer this question, Dr. Mutti and colleagues compared changes in eye growth for children who developed myopia at different ages versus those whose vision remained normal.

They found that, in children without myopia, the lens grew thinner and flatter to maintain normal vision as the eye grew. This adaptation maintained a normal balance between the optical power of the lens and the increasing length of the eyeball. From age nine months to nine years, eyeball length increased by an average of three millimeters.

...As Lens Stops Responding to Increasing Eye Length

However, in children who developed myopia, the lens stopped changing in response to eye growth. Nearsightedness developed not just because of increases in the length of the eyeball, but rather because the optical power of the lens no longer changed as the eye grew.

The imbalance occurred rather suddenly: about one year before the children became Nearsighted. For at least five years after the development of myopia, the eye kept becoming longer but the lens stopped flattening and thinning.

In contrast to the lens, changes in corneal growth showed little or no relation to the development of myopia. The cornea is responsible for about two-thirds of the optical power of the eye, and the lens for the remaining one-third.

The study provides vision professionals with an important new piece of information on why some children develop myopia. However, what's still unclear is why the lens suddenly stops adapting to continued growth of the eye. More research will be needed to answer that question -- one possibility is that an abnormally thick ciliary muscle within the eye forms a mechanical restriction preventing the stretching that thins and flattens the lens as the eye continues to grow.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120301113258.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, via Newswise.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Glaucoma as Neurologic Disorder Rather Than Eye Disease?

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:20:00 +0000

Glaucoma as Neurologic Disorder Rather Than Eye Disease?

ScienceDaily (Mar. 7, 2012) - A new paradigm to explain Glaucoma is rapidly emerging, and it is generating brain-based treatment advances that may ultimately vanquish the disease known as the "sneak thief of sight." A review now available in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, reports that some top researchers no longer think of Glaucoma solely as an eye disease. Instead, they view it as a neurologic disorder that causes nerve cells in the brain to degenerate and die, similar to what occurs in Parkinson disease and in Alzheimer's. The review, led by Jeffrey L Goldberg, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and Interdisciplinary Stem Cell Institute, describes treatment advances that are either being tested in patients or are scheduled to begin clinical trials soon.

Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. For many years, the prevailing theory was that vision damage in Glaucoma patients was caused by abnormally high pressure inside the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP). As a result, lowering IOP was the only goal of those who developed surgical techniques and medications to treat Glaucoma. Creating tests and instruments to measure and track IOP was crucial to that effort. Today, a patient's IOP is no longer the only measurement an ophthalmologist uses to diagnose Glaucoma, although it is still a key part of deciding how to care for the patient. IOP-lowering medications and surgical techniques continue to be effective ways to protect Glaucoma patients' eyes and vision. Tracking changes in IOP over time informs the doctor whether the treatment plan is working.

But even when surgery or medication successfully lowers IOP, vision loss continues in some Glaucoma patients. Also, some patients find it difficult to use eye drop medications as prescribed by their physicians. These significant shortcomings spurred researchers to look beyond IOP as a cause of Glaucoma and focus of treatment.

The new research paradigm focuses on the damage that occurs in a type of nerve cell called retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which are vital to the ability to see. These cells connect the eye to the brain through the optic nerve.

RGC-targeted Glaucoma treatments now in clinical trials include: medications injected into the eye that deliver survival and growth factors to RGCs; medications known to be useful for stroke and Alzheimer's, such as cytidine-5-diphosphocholine; and electrical stimulation of RGCs, delivered via tiny electrodes implanted in contact lenses or other external devices. Human trials of stem cell therapies are in the planning stages.

"As researchers turn their attention to the mechanisms that cause retinal ganglion cells to degenerate and die, they are discovering ways to protect, enhance and even regenerate these vital cells," said Dr. Goldberg. "Understanding how to prevent damage and improve healthy function in these neurons may ultimately lead to sight-saving treatments for Glaucoma and other degenerative eye diseases."

If this neurologically-based research succeeds, future Glaucoma treatments may not only prevent Glaucoma from stealing patients' eyesight, but may actually restore vision. Scientists also hope that their in-depth exploration of RGCs will help them determine what factors, such as genetics, make some people more vulnerable to Glaucoma.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120307094659.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Vitamin B-Based Treatment for Corneal Disease May Offer Some Patients a Permanent Solution

noreply@blogger.com (Your Vision Source Doctor) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:02:00 +0000

Vitamin B-Based Treatment for Corneal Disease May Offer Some Patients a Permanent Solution

ScienceDaily (Oct. 24, 2011) - Patients in the United States who have the Cornea-damaging disease keratoconus may soon be able to benefit from a new treatment that is already proving effective in Europe and other parts of the world. The treatment, called collagen crosslinking, improved vision in almost 70 percent of patients treated for keratoconus in a recent three-year clinical trial in Milan, Italy. The treatment is in clinical trials in the United States and is likely to receive FDA approval in 2012.

The results of the Milan study are being presented Oct. 24, 2011 at the 115th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology in Orlando, Florida.

In a session titled Long-term Results of Corneal Crosslinking for Keratoconus, Paolo Vinciguerra, MD will describe the treatment and three-year follow up of more than 250 keratoconus patients who received collagen crosslinking at his clinic. Sixty-eight percent of the 500 eyes treated gained significant visual acuity, with their results remaining stable at the end of the follow-up period. Patients over age 18 were most likely to improve.

In the collagen crosslinking procedure, riboflavin (vitamin B) is applied to the Cornea, which is then exposed to a specific form of ultraviolet light. Collagen fibers regenerate with new bonds forming between them, increasing Corneal stiffness and strength. The treatment also combats the causes of keratoconus, reducing the chance that it will recur. The rest of the eye receives only minimal UV exposure during treatment. Dr. Vinciguerra's new study confirms that adverse effects are rare. Previous research by his team indicated no loss of Corneal endothelial cell, a measurement used to assess the safety of Corneal treatments, in patients who received collagen crosslinking.

"For many people with keratoconus, collagen crosslinking can provide a better and more permanent solution to their vision problems," said Dr. Vinciguerra. "Given that no current treatment in use in the U.S. offers permanent correction, this effective option represents a significant advance for Corneal medicine."

One in 2,000 people in the United States and worldwide are diagnosed with keratoconus, a disease that damages the collagen fibers that form the structure of the Cornea, which is the outer surface of the eye. The Cornea's crucial task is to focus, or "refract," incoming light toward the eye's lens. To perform properly, the Cornea needs to be rounded, like the surface of a ball. As keratoconus worsens and the Cornea becomes thinner, it may bulge outward in a cone shape, causing nearsightedness and/or astigmatism, making clear vision impossible. As the number of fibers and links between them decline, the Cornea loses up to 50 percent of its normal stiffness.

Standard treatments in the U.S., such as specialized eyeglasses, contact lenses, or implanted lenses, cannot permanently correct keratoconus, and none of these treatments address the underlying causes. Severe keratoconus often requires Corneal transplant.

The 115th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology is in session October 23 through 25 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. It is the world's largest, most comprehensive ophthalmic education conference. Approximately 25,000 attendees and more than 500 companies gather each year to showcase the latest in ophthalmic technology, products and services. To learn more about the place Where All of Ophthalmology Meets visit www.aao.org/annual_meeting.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111024084641.htm

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.