Archive for November, 2009
National Eye Institute Concerned that People with Macular Degeneration are not taking Eye Vitamins
11.18.2009The November-December issue of Retinal Physician contained an article by Dr. Emily Chew, Deputy Director of The Division of Ophthalmology and CLinical Research at the National Eye Institute.
Dr. Emily Chew, National Eye Institute
Dr. Chew emphasized that nutritional status is a known risk factor associated with age-related macular degeneration, including the NEI’s own Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). But she expressed several concerns.
In a 2002 Canadian study, 80% of patients with AMD were taking some form of supplements, but none were taking the recommend doses from AREDS. Although subsequent studies in the U.S.A. indicate a higher percentage of people taking the recommended doses, it is still a low number, even after specifically being instructed by their physician.
Dr. Chew wonders why, with the emotional and financial burden of worsening vision due to macular degeneration, that people are not treating their AMD appropriately.
She raises some possibilities.
First, smokers are recommended against taking high doses of beta-carotene, which excludes them from taking the complete AREDS formula. (VisiVite was the first company to manufacture AREDS-based eye vitamins for smokers.)
Secondly, some physicians recommend their patients not take high dosages of Vitamin E. (VisiVite i-Defense E-Free Formula caters to those patients who take Coumadin/warfarin.)
Unfortunately, Dr. Chew promotes only the research performed by the National Eye Institute, subtly discrediting all other research by inferring that only the AREDS formula is proven to be of benefit for macular degeneration. Nevertheless, the National Eye Institute appears to have been convinced of the benefits of Lutein, Zeaxanthin and Omega-3 fish oil, including those ingredients in its current AREDS2 research. Those ingredients are available now in VisiVite Premier Ocular Formula No. 2.
Abdominal Surgery Could Cause Vision Changes
11.16.2009Many people suffering from obesity turn to gastric bypass surgery as a weight loss solution. The procedure is not without its risks and resulting problems. Vitamin deficiencies are a side effect of gastric bypass surgery as well as other abdominal surgeries. A deficiency in Vitamin A may result in night blindess years after the surgery.
The British Journal of Opthalmology published the report. It documented everyone who came to one particualr eye clinic during the course of a year. 
A vitamin A deficiency was found in four subjects who were complaining of different degrees of limited night vision. All four had undergone abdominal surgery. Two of them had undergone bypass surgery.
Abdominal surgeries have long been known to cause vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin A is not as easily absorbed as other vitamins because it is a fat-soluble vitamin. Vitamin A is most concentrated in the eyes. This is where the physical symptoms of the deficiency most readily show by manifesting as night blindness.
The results of the study suggest that those people who have undergone some type of abdominal surgery need to stay vigilant for symptoms of Vitamin A deficiency in the future.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Link Found Between St. John’s Wort Use and Cataracts
11.13.2009Many people suffering from depression turn to the herbal supplement, St. John’s Wort, as a natural remedy. A new study, however, found a relationship between use of the herb and the development of cataracts.
The extracts of St. John’s wort are commonly used in either tablet form or as a tea. The typical dosage amount in tablet form is 300 mg of the extract three times a day although the dosage suggested can vary greatly with different products.
The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Alabama and the results were published in the current edition of Current Eye Research. The scientists studied the relationship between St. John’s wort and cataracts.? Of particular interest to the scientists was the St. John’s wort ingredient, hypericin. Prior research has indicated that hypericin is connected to the crystallization of the eye’s lenses.
More than 31,000 people age 40 and up were asked whether they had cataracts and whether they had used herbal treatments over the preceding 12 months. Those who replied that they had cataracts were 59% more likely to also report they had used St. John’s wort.
The researchers did caution that the questionnaire they used had limitations and further research needed to be done.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Obesity Is a Major Factor in Vision Loss
11.11.2009Obesity is a major risk factor in both the onset and progression of several sight-threatening conditions. Despite this, a majority of the public is unaware of the link between obesity and vision loss. A recent study conducted by the Eyecare Trust found that only 8% of those surveyed connected obesity with vision loss.
Individuals with excessive weight can suffer from pulmonary problems which in turn can cause permanent damage to the fragile blood vessels in the eyes. People with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above more than double their risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In addition, they substantially increase the likelihood of developing cataracts or glaucoma.
To compound the problem, obese patients are less likely to have regular eye exams. In fact, those surveyed with a BMI of? 25 or more considered their eye health to be good.
People dealing with obesity are encouraged to have regular eye exams to help monitor their eye health and avoid any loss of vision.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Symptoms of Iritis Should Not Be Ignored
11.09.2009Iritis is an inflammation of the iris. Iritis can be caused by an underlying condition such as juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Lupus, Sarcoid, Shingles or inflammatory bowel disease or trauma to the eye, among others. In approximately half of cases, iritis occurs spontaneously without a known cause.
Symptoms of iritis include? pain in the eye or the brow region which worsens under bright light (photophobia) , tender red eye without discharge, blurred vision and small or irregularly shaped pupil. Left untreated, iritis may result in glaucoma and/or cataracts.
Iritis, which causes the eye to be red, is frequently misdiagnosed as allergy or conjunctivitis by physicians who don’t have access to a slit lamp biomicroscope, as is found in an eye doctor’s office.
The first line of treatment for iritis is steroid eyedrops. Careful monitoring of the eye pressure on this medication is required. If the eye fails to respond to steroid eyedrops, oral medications may be required.
Treatment may be required for days or weeks, and uncommonly months.
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, you should inform your eye doctor promptly.
Andrea?Schumann
Staff Writer
