Archive for the ‘Cataracts’ Category
Hormone Replacement Therapy in Women linked to cataracts
03.09.2010Women who are using or who had used Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) have higher rates of cataract removal than women who have never used HRT. This was the finding of an eight-year study of more than 30,000 postmenopausal Swedish women.
Results of the study showed that the risk for cataract removal was increased by 14 percent in women who had previously used HRT and an 18 percent increase was noted in current HRT users as compared to women who did not use HRT. The longer HRT was used resulted in an increased risk. In addition, women using HRT who consumed more than one alcoholic drink a day had a 42 percent increased risk compared to women who did not use HRT or drank alcohol.
Cataracts are more common in postmenopausal women than in men which indicates that hormonal differences play a role in their development. Estrogen receptors have been found in the eye’s lens. The lens is the area that becomes cloudy and inflexible upon formation of a cataract. The exogenous estrogens which are used in HRT increase C-reactive protein levels which have been linked with cataract development.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
New dual-optic intraocular lens shows promise
02.03.2010Cataract surgery patients may benefit in the future from a dual-optic intraocular lens currently in the experimental stages.
Recent studies show that the new lens improved intermediate distance vision and contrast sensitivity under low light conditions as compared to some multi-focal lenses.
The current generation of multi-focal intraocular lens implants allows both eyes to focus at the same time on far or near objects. This enables patients to have a more natural field of vision with depth perception.
The new dual optic lens was compared to three of these multi-focal lenses. Patients were given real life performance tests of contrast sensitivity and were measured for reading speed under low-light conditions. The new dual optic lens had the highest contrast sensitivity of all the lenses tested.
Intermediate vision was also markedly better with the new lens. The problems of glare and halos remained the same with the dual optic lens. One drawback noted is that the dual optic lens does require a larger incision than those currently available.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Femtosecond-pulse lasers poised to revolutionize cataract surgery
02.01.2010A new generation of femtosecond laser systems has gained approval from the FDA to be used in laser cataract surgery. The new technology offers a cleaner, and more exact cut.
Current femtosecond laser systems such as those used in corneal transplants don’t penetrate far enough and the new technology now makes deeper penetration into the eye possible. The new image-guided laser 
system works by first softening the existing cloudy lens. This is done by using shockwaves which cause bubble-like implosions. The lens is then aspirated and then the femtosecond laser is used to perform a refractive capsulotomy.
Researchers were very pleased with the perfectly centered laser cuts. The cut portion was able to be removed with forceps without any radial tears or any other detrimental effects. It was also noted that the size, shape and reproducibility were all statistically significantly better than the results of the manual capsulotomy.
Some disadvantages of the new procedure would be the higher cost and the relatively slow image guidance. In addition, patients must be moved between rooms which adds about five minutes to the procedure. The incisions are created outside the operating room and then the patient is moved into the operating room to finish the procedure.
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
