Archive for the ‘Cataracts’ Category
Protecting the eyes from sun during winter is just as important as summer
01.18.2012
Many people assume that excessive exposure to UV light can only happen in the summer months but light reflected off snow can damage the eyes’ front surface and people should wear the necessary eye protection to keep their eyes safe.
Exposure to bright sunlight may increase the risk of developing cataracts, age-related macular degeneration and growths on the eye. Thousands of skiers and snowboarders in 32 high-altitude ski areas in western North America were interviewed in a recent study to determine if they took precautions against the sun such as wearing goggles, hats and sunscreen and the results were that most of them only did so on occasion. UV radiation exposure increases as the elevation increases and can be high on cloudy days.
So while you are outside having fun this winter it is important to protect your eyes by wearing goggles or sunglasses that have UV protection.*
Cataract surgical patients may lose some visual acuity 2 years after surgery
01.17.2012
One in eight cataract surgical patients lost at least two lines of visual acuity within the first 2 years after their surgery. The Cataract Surgery and Age-Related Macular Degeneration Study involved 1,936 patient who were age 65 years and older.
Visual acuity data was available for 1,809 of the study participants at 1 month post-operative and for 1,294 of the patients at 2 years. The cataract surgery was performed between 2004 and 2007 and researchers evaluated both presenting and pinhole visual acuity as well utilized retinal photography.
After 2 years, 71.9% of the patients maintained the visual acuity that they had at 1 month. 15.4% of participants actually had an improvement in their pinhole visual acuity while 12.7% recorded a reduction in visual acuity. Researchers noted that the strongest risk factor in reduction of vision after the surgery is the age of the patient and the presence of macular lesions.
November is National Diabetes Month – Annual dilated eye exams encouraged
11.10.2011
November is National Diabetes Month and the National Eye Institute recommends that people with diabetes get annual dilated eye exams. One of the most prevalent and incapacitating complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy and a dilated eye exam is crucial in diagnosing and treating the condition early.
In addition to diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes are at a higher risk for cataracts and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy typically has no symptoms until vision loss occurs which is why it is so crucial for diabetics to have dilated eye exams. Early detection can help prevent 90% of diabetes-related blindness.
Throughout National Diabetes Month, free diabetic eye disease resources are being distributed by the National Eye Health Education Program (NEHEP) to health professionals and community organizations that serve people with diabetes. You can visit http://www.nei.nih.gov/nehep to learn more about the NEHEP and get materials.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Cataract surgery improves Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms
11.02.2011
A recent study revealed that people with mild forms of Alzheimer’s disease saw an improvement in their cognitive functioning as well as their sleep patterns and mood following cataract surgery. This study is the first one conducted to determine the benefits of cataract surgery for Alzheimer patients.
Researchers at the Tenon Hospital in Paris studied 38 patients with mild Alzheimer’s and disabling cataract in at least one eye before and after they underwent cataract surgery. Results showed that 25% of these patients showed an improvement in their cognitive status and many of the patients became less depressed.
It is hoped that future studies will be able to reveal what factors led to the positive effects that were found in this study so the quality of life of Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers can be improved.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Can’t sleep? Maybe it’s due to cataracts.
10.13.2011Researchers recently discovered a link between insomnia and discoloration of the eye’s lens. The lens of our eye is normally clear but as we age, the lens of the eye become yellower.
It is believed that the development of cataracts (yellowing of the lens) interferes with the eye’s ability to absorb blue light which plays a factor in regulating the brain’s melatonin levels. Melatonin has a key role in our daily sleep-wake cycle. Yellow lenses cause the blue light to be filtered out.
Participants in the study were evaluated with a lens autofluorometry which measures the amount of blue light transferred through the lens to the retina. Subjects who had lower levels of blue light were prone to having sleep disturbances. These study findings echo those of an earlier study which found that sleep quality improves in people who have cataract surgery and have their lenses removed.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
