Archive for the ‘Dry Eye Syndrome’ Category
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
Phytosterols May Prevent the Development of Cancer
08.30.2009
Phytosterols, long known for their cholesterol-lowering action, are emerging as cancer-fighting powerhouses.
Phytosterols, the structural components in the cell membranes of plants, have long been known to reduce serum total and LDL cholesterol levels. Now, new research indicates that they may help to prevent cancer as well. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition last month found that phytosterols, also known as plant sterols, inhibit cancers of the stomach, lung, ovaries and breasts.
Phytosterols are plant-derived compounds similar in structure and function to cholesterol. They are found in most plant foods in low concentrations. The foods with higher concentrations include nuts, legumes, oranges, bananas, beetroot and Brussels sprouts. The highest concentrations are found in unrefined plant oils including vegetable, nut and olive oils. Whole grains, wheat germ and flax seeds are also good dietary sources of plant sterols.
According to this latest research, not only do phytosterols prevent the production of carcinogens, promote the death of cancer cells, and help prevent metastasis, but they also seem to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes which help to reduce oxidative stress on the cells.
The researchers in the study wrote that “mounting evidence supports a role for phytosterols in protecting against cancer development. Hence, phytosterols could be incorporated in the diet not only to lower the cardiovascular disease risk, but also to potentially prevent cancer development.”
Including phytosterols in your diet appears to be an important strategy in protecting against cancer development.
Dr. Krawitz’s addendum: Phytosterols are also critical to eye health, forming the oily outer layer of the natural tear film which then acts as a “vapor barrier” against the evaporation of tears. That’s why it’s included in my Dry Eye Relief Tear Stabilization Formula.
Nancy Hirsch VisiVite.Com Certified Nutritionist
Ask The Eye Doctor Group on Facebook
04.22.2009If you haven’t joined Facebook yet, you’re missing out on my Ask The Eye Doctor group. (not to mention all the people from high school who you’ve long forgotten!)
Let’s face it - we all have questions when we go to the doctor. But sometimes, we forget the ask them. Other times, we don’t really understand the answer. So I thought I’d post some recent questions and answers that have been posted to the group. If you have your own question that you think would be of interest to others, we’d love to have you come on board!
___________________________________________
Hi , I wonder what you think about preventing Glaucoma naturally:
Miranda
Dear Miranda,
As an ophthalmologist and President of a company that formulates nutritional supplements for eye health, I consider myself to be qualified when it comes to a discussion of treatments for glaucoma. Additionally, I am a fellowship-trained specialist in glaucoma (http://www.doctorkrawitz.com).
The article that you sent me gives an excellent overview of the mechanism of glaucoma. And certainly the lifestyle and natural suggestions have overall health benefit.
Unfortunately, other than the short-term benefit (a couple hours) of exercise, the benefits of natural treatments has not been shown in clinical trials. For example, normal tension glaucoma seems less to be related to atherosclerosis and more to blood vessel spasm; it is more frequently seen in young people with a history of migraines.
I’m a big proponent of homeopathic and natural treatments - but if and only if the evidence bears out benefits. While hypotheically there may be benefit to certain nutritional supplements to improve circulation only in the treatment of low tension glaucoma, the proof has been lacking. So I don’t recommend VisiVite or any other nutritional supplements for glaucoma.
Dr. Krawitz
___________________________________________
I’ve been told that I have dry eye and right now it is very bad. I am taking drop and meds. Right now my left eye is killing me.
My eye doctor has told me that my tears dry in about 1-2 seconds.
Andrea
Indianopolis, Indiana
Dear Andrea,
The 1-2 seconds that your doctor is referring to is called, “Tear Break-Up Time” or TBUT. Normally, it should be more than 10 seconds.
You have a particular form of dry eye in which even if you are making enough salt water, the outer oily layer of the tears that prevents tear evaporation is not healthy. So the tears that you make are rapidly disappearing.
Artificial tear drops, or for that matter prescription eyedrops that encourage more salt water formation, are unlikely to give you significant improvement. You need to improve the outer oily layer using:
1. Warm soaks to the eyelids 1-2 times per day to encourage better function of the Meibomian Glads that make the oily layer.
2. Strongly consider the use of my nutritional supplement, Dry Eye Relief, which is the only one on the market to address the inner, middle and outer layers of the tear film. See http://tinyurl.com/7pesp5 and http://tinyurl.com/cvwwea.
___________________________________________
Hello, my name is Jerick and I’m 16. I was just wondering if wearing non-prescription graphic contacts with my glasses on are safe. I haven’t worn them yet because I haven’t consulted my eye doctor yet. I also have astigmatism and my eyes are in the negatives.
Jerick
Dear Jerick,
Even cosmetic contact lenses can cause eye injury, including abrasion and ulcers of the cornea. Don’t use them unless your eye doctor approves of the manufacturer, the fit of the contact lenses on your eyes, and that you are properly instructed regarding proper hygienic technique.
Dr. Krawitz
___________________________________________
Hi, my name is Usha and Iam 35. Exactly one year back I got in my retinal tear because of Eales disease. My doctor said there is no permanent solution for this. You have to keep on observing your symptoms. I was thinking to talk to people with my condition but I never met anybody. Today I was trying to post my question to get a answer or advice from the doctor. I saw Ammad is also having Eales. So, do you have advice on this.
My question is I was diagnosed with Eales last year begining with retinal hemorrhage in the right eye. It was too bad they tried to fix it with the laser but after few days retina was detatching so they had to do viterectomy. After 2 or 3 months again I got hemorrhage in left eye they did laser the after it got settled with God’s grace.
My question is, is it ok to get preganant having this condition. My doctor says its ok. But I get so many questions in my mind. Just wanted to get your advice.
Thank you
Usha
Dear Usha,
Eales Disease is very uncommon in the United States, but more common in India and Pakistan (where you are from). I’m sure that it is very frustrating for you. Fortunately, Avastin has at least a temporary beneficial effect, and newer medications are in the pipeline.
Dr. Krawitz
