Archive for September, 2011
High cholesterol levels linked to age-related macular degeneration
09.30.2011Researchers at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences discovered elevated levels of several indicators of age-related macular degeneration including cholesterol deposits and amyloid beta formation in rabbits fed a cholesterol-rich diet. The results of the study were published in the BMC Opthalmology journal.
Alzheimer’s and age-related macular degeneration share many of the same biomarkers and beta-amyloid formation is one of these markers. With the knowledge that high plasma cholesterol is tied to an increased incidence of Alzheimer’s, researchers set out to see if there was a link to high cholesterol and macular degeneration. Male New Zealand white rabbits were fed a cholesterol-rich diet for 12 weeks. The eyes of the rabbits were then examined after the death.
The eyes were then compared to control-diet rabbits. What they found was an increase of Abeta levels and reactive oxygen species in the retinas of the rabbits which were on the high-cholesterol diet. They also found evidence that oxysterols may be the link by which cholesterol contributes to the progression of macular degeneration.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Video games may improve weak vision!
09.29.2011A recent study revealed that playing video games can help improve the vision of adults with lazy eye. Amblyopia, or lazy eye, is the most common cause of permanent visual impairment in childhood. It is a brain disorder in which the vision in one eye does not develop appropriately. The condition is successfully treated in children by using a patch over the “good eye” to force the brain to use the “lazy eye” but for adults with the condition, there are very limited options available.
Researchers noted a marked improvement in 3-D depth perception and the sharpness of vision in study participants who spent just 40 hours playing video games. The 20 participants ranged in age from 16 to 60. Participants wore a patch over their good eye while playing either action or n0n-action games. The “gamers” saw a 30 percent increase in visual acuity which translates to an improvement of 1.5 lines on the standard letter chart used by optometrists. Over 120 hours of basic eye-patch therapy is needed to see the same results.
Additional research is needed as it is uncertain when vision improvement might plateau. In addition, researchers caution that people should not attempt to treat their amblyopia themselves and should consult their eye doctors.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
New York now allowing vision-impaired people to drive without vision verification!
09.28.2011As of September 28, 2011, the New York State driver license renewal process allows drivers the ability to “self-certify that they meet the vision requirements necessary to drive”. New York with be the 9th state in the US to allow for self-certification of vision adequate for driving.
The current vision testing procedure was implemented in 2000. This procedure required drivers to read the 20/40 line at the DMV office or get a vision certification filled out by an ophthalmologist or optometrist stating that a patient’s best corrected or non-corrected visual acuity in at least one eye is 20/40. From 1993 to 2000, NO vision testing was required in New York state, and statistics showed that there was no negative impact on traffic safety during this time period.
Local law makers say this is a step in the right direction for the future of the DMV, because they weren’t able to prove an increase in the number of accidents in a population of people that didn’t have their vision measured. But of course, there are many reasons why this might be so, including better health of the population as a whole .
In a clear cost-saving measure, New York State changed its law in exchange for public safety, in what is a natural follow-up to the state’s changing their vision measurements from every 3 to every 8 years. A lot can happen in 8 years, and it is not uncommon in my ophthalmology office to examine patients who have 20/200 or 20/400 vision. Insurance company actuaries will inform you otherwise, of course. Poor vision increases the risk of accidents. Likewise, so does poor physical health and neurological status.
We previously conducted a survey of our readers on vision and legal driving. The results are posted at http://tinyurl.com/3cbgfq4
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Mary Sweetman, Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
Paul L. Krawitz, M.D., President, VisiVite.Com
Implantable Miniature Telescope may make a difference for people with end-stage AMD
09.28.2011An implantable miniature telescope (IMT) offers new hope for patients in the end-stage of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A new study detailed in the online journal Ophthalmology details the results of a study which evaluated the comparative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the IMT. What is unknown are the long-term side effects of this extra large lens implant.
The two-year study evaluated patients who had lost most of their central vision and were determined to be legally blind. Either medications were no longer effective in treating them or they had a form of the disease for which no treatment was available. For the 76 patients who received the 3x model IMT, their vision had improved to the point that they could see people’s faces rather than just blurry outlines and they were able to get around on their own.
The FDA approved the IMT a year ago and is currently following IMT patients for at least five years to evaluate long-term effectiveness and safety. IMT surgery and additional care costs $18,494 per patient. Researchers deducted the costs that patients would probably not incur (such as treatment for depression, skilled nursing care, etc.) and brought the IMT treatment down to $14,389 for the purposes of the study.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
New guidelines for diagnosing and treating dry eye symptoms
09.27.2011A new report which took more than two years to complete was published in a special issue of the Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science outlining the recommended methods of diagnosis and treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction.
Meibomian gland dysfunction is one of the leading causes of Dry Eye Syndrome and occurs when the meibomian glands fail to secrete the proper quantity and quality of oil into the tear film. Sometimes, the oil may be thicker than normal which blocks the narrow ducts that open at the eyelid margin.
Prior to this report, there was no definitive definition for meibomian gland dysfunction. The new recommendations offer methods of managing both meibomian gland dysfuntion.
Methods of treating meibomian gland dysfunction revolve around unplugging the glands. Artificial tears and punctal occlusion may provide temporary relief. Nutritional supplements may also reduce symptoms. Visivite’s Dry Eye Relief is one of those supplements. It addresses meibomian gland dysfuction by including phytosterols in its formula and it is the only dry eye supplement to include phytosterols.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
