Archive for the ‘Foods and Health’ Category
Are Video Games, iPads and Cell Phones Damaging To Children’s Eyes?
08.09.2011Working for an Ophthalmologist who specializes in Glaucoma and Cataract Surgery, I do not see pediatric patients very often. But many of my friends question me, knowing that I am in the Eye Care Industry. With Technology changing and moving forward at lightning speed these days, you have to wonder if it is OK for your child to play a Nintendo DS 3D, or as it affectionately known in our house, as “chasing little men” on the computer for hours at a time.
Can it possibly be harming our children’s eyesight?
The answer to that question is “Not Exactly.” How’s that for a definitive answer?
At the current time, there are no studies showing any kind of permanent visual damage from 
prolonged use of electronic devices. But – using cell phones, video games, computers, even watching television for long periods of time can cause strain, fatigue and dry eyes. The cause of strain and fatigue comes from the fact that while engaging in these activities your eyes are focusing and moving closer together, causing the muscle to get tired and feel strained. The dry eye, scratchy feeling comes from the fact that while you are doing any of these activities, you actually blink much less than while you are doing normal daily activities.
How can a parent help prevent such kinds of eye strain and dry eye? The first answer is easy: Limit time spent playing video games. Use video game and electronic use as a reward for a good grade or cleaning their room. Try to also cut back all video games until after homework is done for the night. If a child has been on a video game for hours before they start their homework, they may really feel the strain on their eyes when it comes time to study or read their assignments for school the next day. Additionally, get your kids up and moving in an outdoor activity. Doing something outside such as riding a bike or playing a sport, encourages a child to use his distance eye muscles, giving those near muscles a break.
My motto has always been that everything in moderation is fine and while I realize it is not always easy to pull your children off the computers and away from the videos, they may actually thank you, not realizing how much better their eyes feel.
Mary Sweetman
Certified Ophthalmic Assistant
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Hand-held computer use may not damage eyes, but there is some evidence that it causes near-sightedness, which reduces distance vision without eyeglasses or contact lenses.
See our previous blog post at http://blog.visivite.com/2010/02/ipod-use-may-cause-near-sightedness/
Paul Krawitz, M.D., President
VisiVite.Com
Specific nutrients can lower risk of age-related macular degeneration
06.28.2011A study published in the June 2011 edition of Archives of Ophthalmology has good news for people who are at a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. The study found that participants who ate higher levels of zinc, antioxidants or omega-3 fatty acids reduced their risk of developing macular degeneration by almost a third.
Six out of 100 adults in the United States over the age of 40 have age-related macular degeneration. There are two known gene variations which raise a person’s risk of developing the condition so researchers sought to determine if this risk could be reduced.
More than 2,000 participants over the age of 55 were evaluated. The participants were all tested for the gene variant and had eye exams every three years for the next 10 years to assess vision loss. Those who had the gene variation and consumed greater amounts of zinc, beta carotene, omega -3 fatty acids or lutein/zeaxanthin had a smaller risk of macular degeneration.
Supplements, such as the VisiVite macular degeneration formulas are recommended for people who are unable to get all of those high levels of nutrients in their diet.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Can Dark Chocolate Improve Eye Function?
06.05.2011
A new study published in the journal, Physiology & Behavior, claims that consumption of cocoa flavanols may enhance aspects of eye function. In recent years, there has been heightened awareness of the advantages of eating foods containing flavanols. The findings of the study demonstrate that dark chocolate is able to increase visual contrast sensitivity in healthy young adults and decrease the time required to sense motion direction. These are the kind of skills required for everyday tasks, such as driving.
The trial involved 30 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 25, who consumed both dark chocolate and a similar amount of white chocolate, with a period of one week in between testing sessions. Improvements in visual performance were observed approximately 2.5 hours after the intake of the flavanols.
The results of the trial found that cocoa flavanols increased visual contrast sensitivity and “improved spatial memory and performance on some aspects of the choice reaction time task.” The researchers’ theory is that these results may be due to the intensified cerebral blood flow caused by the flavanols.*
Nancy Hirsch
Certified Nutritionist
Healthy lifestyle lowers risk of age-related macular degeneration in women
06.04.2011Researchers affirmed the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in a recent study. Women who maintained healthy eating habits had 46% lower odds for developing early macular degeneration. Women who had a higher level of physical activity saw a 54% lower risk for developing early macular degeneration. A combination of healthy diet, physical activity and not smoking resulted in 71% lower risk for macular degeneration.
Women between the ages of 50 and 79 were recruited for the Carotenoids in Age-Related Eye Disease Study (CAREDS). 2005 women were enrolled in the study. The women were asked about their total physical activity including any house or yard work. In addition, their dietary intake including eye supplements was evaluated as well as their history of smoking and alcohol consumption.
Researchers say the results indicate that while the risk of macular degeneration can be hereditary, lifestyle habits play a significant role in the risk as well. People who adopt healthy habits may greatly reduce their chance of developing early macular degeneration.*
Elise Ervin
Staff Writer
Warning to all women – Anorexia nervosa may result in significant eye damage!
12.22.2010While it is known that anorexia nervosa can have devastating effects on the human body, a recent study reveals that eyes can suffer significant eye damage as well. The study was published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology.
The study involved 13 women with anorexia nervosa and 20 women in good health of the same age. The average age was 28 and the women with anorexia had their condition for an average of 10 years.
Those conducting the study evaluated the thickness of the macula and its electrical activity in both eyes. The tests that were conducted showed that there were no obvious visual problems in both sets of the women and that the eyes were functioning normally. But what researchers did discover is that the macula and the nerve layers feeding it were notably thinner in the eyes of the women with anorexia nervosa. In addition, there was much less firing of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the eyes of the women with anorexia nervosa.
What remains unclear is whether the macular thinning and decreased neurotransmitter activity are the beginnings of progressive blindness or if things will return to normal when normal eating behaviors are started again.*
Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer
