Archive for the ‘Glaucoma’ 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.*
Glaucoma patients have higher risk of injury from falling
01.16.2012
A year-long study revealed that glaucoma sufferers who had extensive vision loss in their lower peripheral vision were at a greater risk of falling.
Over the course of the year, 40% of the 70 participants had a fall with 20 percent suffering multiple falls over the period. While all participants had glaucoma, it was the participants who had the severely impaired lower peripheral vision who were at the greatest risk of falling.
This information will allow doctors to better educate their patients on how they can reduce their risk of falling. Such preventative measures include removing tripping hazards from the house and improving the lighting. In addition, those at risk should exercise in good sunlight instead of at low-light times of the day.
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury-related hospital admissions among senior adults with one third of people over the age of 65 falling every year. Regular eye exams play an important role in monitoring any changes in vision which may lead to falls.*
Quiz: Which Eye Problem gets “Focused On” during January?
01.13.2012
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and according to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Unfortunately, by the time a person is diagnosed with glaucoma, the damage that has already been done to the eye is irreversible.
According to the organization Prevent Blindness America, more than 2.2 million American over the age of 40 have the most common form of glaucoma which is open angle glaucoma. Half of those people aren’t even aware that they have the condition.
People who are at high risk of developing glaucoma should be tested every year or two after the age of 35. People who are at high risk include African Americans, those over the age of 60 and those with a family history of glaucoma.
Medications are available to treat glaucoma but usually only aim to reduce elevated intraocular pressure and prevent damage to the optic nerve. Surgery can also help to reduce the pressure when medication does not but neither medication or surgery can reverse vision loss.
Controversial study says high eye pressures always need treatment
01.11.2012
A study published in the journal of Archives of Ophthalmology reveals that patients who are treated for their ocular hypertension lessened their risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma by almost 50% among all who are at risk. This was true even for African Americans who experience a higher incidence of the disease than do Caucasians.
Ocular hypertension is a risk factor for developing primary open angle glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma is caused when pressure in the eye causes slow vision loss.
The study involved 1,636 people who were randomly assigned to two groups. One group received a topical medication which treats ocular hypertension and the second group was just observed. The two groups were followed for an average of 7.5 years and then the observation group was given the topical medication as well. The two groups were then followed for an average of 5.5 years. What researchers determined was that taking the topical medication for 10 years decreased the occurrence of developing primary open angle glaucoma.*
Walk or run today. Your vision depends on it.
11.13.2011
The October issue of Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science details the results of a study which indicates that being physically active helps to protect eyes from glaucoma. Glaucoma occurs when fluid pressure inside the eye rises and damages the optic nerve and is a leading cause of blindness.
Researchers documented the relationship between physical activity and eye pressure in 5,650 men and women between the ages of 48 and 90 in Great Britain. The participants were evaluated from 1993 and 1997 and then again between 2006 and 2010. Participants provided researchers details about their work and leisure time physical activity and based upon these details the participants were categorized as inactive, moderately inactive, moderately active or active. In addition, their eye pressure was monitored throughout the years they were involved in the study.
Results showed that moderate physical activity was linked with a 25 percent reduced risk of low ocular perfusion pressure (OPP) which is a significant risk factor for glaucoma. While researchers are uncertain as to the cause of the link between OPP and cardiovascular fitness, they believe the study shows that maintaining an active lifestyle helps to reduce glaucoma risk.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
