Archive for the ‘Eye Health’ Category
Yet another smoking risk –eye inflammation (uveitis)
03.12.2010Uveitis, an inflammation of the eye’s middle layer of tissue, is responsible for about 10 percent of blindness in the United States. And smoking may increase the risk of contracting uveitis.
Researchers found that smokers were 2.2 times more likely to contract uveitis than patients who had never smoked. One particularly notable relationship was found between smoking and inflammatory central macular edema which is the swelling of the central area of the retina.
The compounds contained in cigarette smoke trigger inflammation of the blood vessels within the eye which may lead to uveitis. Uveitis can damage many structures within the eye including the iris and the retina. If any symptoms of uveitis such as eye redness, pain, blurred vision and sensitivity are noted, you should be examined by an eye care professional.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
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
iPod use may cause near-sightedness
02.16.2010An increasing number of Americans are being diagnosed with myopia according to a study by the National Eye Institute. The dramatic increase could be due to the increased use of technological gadgets such as cell phones, iPods and computers.
When the human eye spends so much time on “close up” activity, it has to compensate to see more clearly in the distance. This can lead to the eyeball becoming too long and developing too much curvature. This results in myopia.
Approximately 25 percent of Americans were diagnosed with myopia between the years of 1971 and 1972 compared to 41.6 percent between the years of 1999 and 2004. The increase in cases of myopia has far-reaching implications. People with serious myopia could develop far more serious eye conditions such as retinal detachments or retinal degeneration.
Ophthalmologists encourage those who engage in extended computer related activities to take frequent breaks and look out a window. This helps to relax their eyes. In addition, it is especially important that children engage in outside activities. This allows the children to see objects at all range of distances. Some studies have shown higher rates of myopia in children who spend less time outdoors.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Study shows that Macugen may be an effective treament for Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO)
02.10.2010Patients suffering from Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion (BRVO) may benefit from injections of Macugen. A recent study offered promising results with half of the participants gaining at least 3 lines of vision by 30 weeks in the 54 week study. The study was published in the January issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
BRVO is one type of Retinal Vein Occlusion (RVO). Retinal Vein Occlusion is second only to diabetic retinopathy as a cause of vision loss caused by 
retinal vascular disease. RVO occurs when there is a blockage in the blood supply from the retina which then causes swelling and hemorrhages which can then lead to sudden blurring or vision loss in part of the eye or in the entire eye.
BRVO occurs when one of the branches of the main vein to the eye is blocked. Retinal vein occlusions are generally seen in patients aged 50 and over with the highest rate among those in their 60’s and 70’s.
Macugen is administered through injections into the vitreous gel of the eye. It works by binding to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which is a protein. VEGF plays an essential role in the formation of new blood vessels. While researchers are encouraged by the initial results, further clinical trials are needed.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
High caloric and sodium intake associated with more severe eye disease in African-Americans
01.16.2010Diabetic African-American patients may benefit from a reduction of calories and sodium in their diets. Regulating caloric and sodium intake may reduce the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy.
The leading cause of blindness in 20 to 64 year-olds, diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels in the retina are damaged by diabetes-related changes in the body. There are two causes of vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy: proliferative retinopathy and macular edema.
469 African-American patients were evaluated in the study which was published in the January issue of Archives of Ophthalmology. Patients with the greatest caloric intake at the beginning of the study were more likely to develop the vision-threatening retinopathy while those with high sodium intake were more likely to develop macular edema.
Researchers concluded that a change in diet may slow progression of diabetic retinopathy in African-American patients.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
