Archive for the ‘Glaucoma’ Category
Brain holds first signs of glaucoma
03.08.2010Predominantly considered a disease of the eye, scientists have discovered that the first signs of injury in glaucoma actually take place in the brain.
The details of the discovery are in this week’s Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. The revelation will prompt researchers to look at glaucoma in a new light.
Typically, glaucoma therapies have revolved around lowering ocular pressure within the eye. The increased ocular pressure causes damage to the retina and optic nerve (both parts of the central nervous system). Blindness is the end result if glaucoma is not detected early.
The results of this new study, however, directs the focus to studying neuronal activity in the middle of the brain where the optic nerve forms its first connections. This new approach to addressing glaucoma will lead to new targets for potential treatment of the debilitating disease.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Medications for glaucoma associated with lower mortality risk
02.12.2010Glaucoma patients who are treated with glaucoma medications may benefit in the form of a lowered mortality risk. A study published in the February issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology sheds light on the association.
Past studies of glaucoma and mortality produced contradictory results. In this study, researchers examined data from a large managed care network which included 21,506 patients aged 40 and older who either had diagnosed glaucoma or were suspected to have glaucoma.
Researchers found that patients were 74% less likely to die during a five-year period if they were prescribed any form of glaucoma medication. The mortality risk was decreased further as the number of prescribed medications increased.
While it is uncertain why glaucoma medication use is linked to a lower mortality risk, one theory is that topical medications absorbed systemically could affect other body systems such as the cardiovascular system. Another theory is patients who take medication for glaucoma might be healthier than their untreated counterparts.
The study offered no definitive results and glaucoma patients should consult with their doctors regarding the best treatment for their condition.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Trabectome another procedure available to glaucoma patients
01.27.2010Another procedure that is revolutionizing the treatment of glaucoma is the Trabectome. Like canaloplasty, the Trabectome is a minimally invasive surgical technique. The Trabectome works by restoring the eye’s natural drainage pathways.
Ultimately, this procedure stabilizes optic nerve health to minimize any further damage to the patient’s field of vision. A focused electro-surgical pulse works by re-establishing access to the eye’s natural drainage pathway.
The Trabectome offers several advantages. There is minimal patient risk and a low complication rate. In addition, it is a safe and economical alternative to traditional therapies which include oral medications, lasers and eyedrops.
Trabectome has been used successfully in both the United States and around the world since 2004. If you are a glaucoma patient, you would need to consult your ophthalmologist to see if you are a candidate for Trabectome.
Dr. Paul Krawitz, the President and CEO of Vitamin Science and VisiVite.Com, is one of a limited number of certified Trabectome specialists in New York State. You can read more about Dr. Krawitz at http://www.eye-surgeons.net/paul-krawitz-md.html.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
New technique lowers intraocular pressure in glaucoma patients
01.26.2010Glaucoma elevates the intraocular pressure in a patient’s eyes. A surgical procedure known as trabeculectomy has been the only surgical method available to reduce the elevated eye pressure. This surgical technique is invasive and carries a risk of infection or pressure which is too low post-operatively, either of which can ultimately lead to vision loss.
A new surgical procedure reduces the intraocular pressure while carrying little risk of infection or ocular hypotension. The new surgical method is called canaloplasty. This 
procedure involves using a flexible micro-catheter which is inserted into Schlemm’s Canal in the eye and injecting a gel which opens the collapsed area. The surgeon also inserts a micro-suture in the canal to make sure that the canal stays open. This allows for proper drainage of the fluid in the eye.
Patients with mild to moderate forms of glaucoma are good candidates for the procedure. Other good candidates are those who are at high risk of complication from trabeculectomy and those who take several medications in order to lower their intraocular pressure.
Doctors are equally pleased with the shorter recovery time which canaloplasty offers to patients.
Canaloplasty is considered a “non-penetrating” glaucoma surgery, because although an incision is made in the eye, it doesn’t rely on the creation of a permanent hole in the eye that drains fluid. Soon, I’m going to discuss another “non-penetrating” surgery known as Trabectome.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
Eye test in development that may provide early diagnosis of glaucoma and Alzheimer’s
01.22.2010The eyes may be more than the windows to the soul. They may allow doctors to diagnose neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s years before the onset of symptoms.
An eye test in early development may transform doctors’ ability to detect and treat diseases such as glaucoma and Alzheimer’s.
The technology behind the eye test is based upon the knowledge that nerve cell death is the key element in all degenerative brain disorders. Until now, there has been no way to measure brain cell death.
The new test uses a special camera and fluorescent markers that attach to retinal cells in various stages of death. This provides a real-time measurement of brain cell death by taking advantage of the fact that the eye is basically an exposed part of the brain. When brain cells are dying then retinal cells die as well. A large number of dead retinal cells would point to a neurological disorder.
While it is still to early to determine if the simple eye test will be an effective diagnostic tool in humans, researchers remain hopeful that the test will be available within the next few years.
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
