Archive for the ‘Dry Eye Syndrome’ Category
Who gets more eye disease - Women or Men?
03.29.2010While men and women have many health differences, one difference that is probably not widely known is that women are more susceptible to eye disease and other eye conditions than men. Eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy are diagnosed in more women than men every year.
Women who are pregnant or post-menopausal are more likely to develop dry eye syndrome due to hormonal changes. In addition, women who are receiving Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may be at a higher risk of developing cataracts. Pregnant women who note changes in their vision such as blurred vision or seeing spots should contact their health care provider immediately because these can be signs of more serious conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes or retinal detachment.
The organization Prevent Blindness America has deemed April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Month. Women are encouraged to make their vision health a priority and to get a complete eye exam.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
How can you reduce your risk of developing glaucoma?
03.25.2010People who are at the highest risk of developing glaucoma may benefit from early treatment of ocular hypertension. Ocular hypertension is high pressure within the eye and is a leading risk factor for the development of the most common form of glaucoma. Ocular hypertension is the only risk factor that is adjustable. 
Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and their contemporaries in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study Group looked at the safety and effectiveness of earlier vs. later treatment in preventing glaucoma in people who had high intraocular pressure. It was determined that lowering intraocular pressure could delay or prevent the beginning of glaucoma although the best time to start treatment has not been determined.
Individuals who are at a lower risk for developing glaucoma may not really benefit from the early treatment of intraocular pressure and can actually be monitored over less frequent intervals than their high risk counterparts. It was determined that physicians need to consider the patient’s age and overall health when determining if early treatment is the best course of action.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Cyclosporine is effective in treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome
01.12.2010For people suffering from severe forms of dry eye, relief may be found in the form of cyclosporine. Cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion, or better known by its prescription name of Restasis, can increase tear production and reduce dry eye symptoms.
Choosing the appropriate medication to treat dry eye depends greatly upon the severity of the disease. Patients with moderate to severe dry eye symptoms will benefit the most from treatment with anti-inflammatory medications such as topical cyclosporine. Patients with moderate to severe symptoms are at the highest risk of their disease worsening.
Often times, cyclosporine is used in conjunction with corticosteroids. The patient begins by taking the corticosteroid and cyclosporine concurrently for a couple of weeks and then he or she is gradually taken off the corticosteroid and continues with the cyclosporine.
People are often under the assumption that dry eye syndrome cannot progress quickly but it can significantly worsen in a year’s time so it’s important to treat affected patients quickly. Depending on the severity of the disease, patients may either need short-term or long-term maintenance therapy.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Addendum: In published studies, cyclosporine (Restasis) has been shown to have some effectiveness versus the symptoms of dry eye syndrome in 60-70% of patients. However, in our own practice, we have witnessed only 30-50% efficacy. Some of the clinical benefits of Restasis may be due solely to the emulsion mixture of oil and balanced salt solution into which the active cyclosporine is placed. This emulsion, without the medication, was so effective that it was taken off the market by the manufacturer, presumably because it adversely affected the sales of prescriptive Restasis.
Paul L. Krawitz, M.D., President
VisiVite.Com
Exotic fruit offers relief to those suffering from Dry Eye Syndrome
01.11.2010While not as well known as an orange or an apple, the fruit of a tamarind tree may find an explosion in popularity. Scientists are encouraged by results of clinical trials using eye drops made from tamarind fruit to relieve Dry Eye syndrome.
The new eye drops offer a combination of two active ingredients. Hyaluronic acid restores and maintains hydration to the eyes by 
reducing fluid loss. Polysaccharide (TSP) which is derived from the tamarind seed helps repair the tear film in the eye. The tear film is the watery surface layer of the eye. This helps to keep the eye from drying out.
The clinical trials noted in the unpublished study showed that these combination drops improved symptoms 56 percent more than conventional treatments. This is due to the fact the combination drops stay on the surface of the eyes for a longer period of time.
Dry Eye syndrome is extremely common with 1 in 3 people suffering from it at some point in their lives. Office workers tend to be a population which deals with it more frequently because of large amounts of time spent in front of a computer.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Computer Vision Syndrome Poses Risk to Students’ Vision
11.20.2009Children today are growing up as a computer generation. Along with the benefits of being computer savvy, there are risks of too much time in front of a monitor. Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) is caused by stress put upon the eyes by working with a computer screen.
The American Optometric Association (AMA) states that the amount of stress placed upon the eyes depends upon the amount of time the person spends on the computer and the setting where the the computer is located.
Symptoms of Computer Vision Syndrome include: strained eyes, headaches, sore necks, blurred vision and dry eyes. A complete eye examination is needed to diagnose the syndrome.
The effect on the vision of young adults from extended time in front of a computer is that their eyes adapt to focusing on the computer screen. When they look away from the screen, they are unable to focus as clearly. This “concentrated focusing” can have either a temporary deleterious effect on vision.
Treatment varies, of course, for each patient. Computer glasses may be prescribed or it may be as simple as medical instruction for improving the patient’s visual behaviors.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
