3D movies are making a huge comeback these days. Moviegoers flocked to the blockbuster “Avatar” and were dazzled by the 3D images. However, for a small percentage of people, 3D movies can be a real headache.

About 5 to 10 percent of people don’t have true depth perception and even more have trouble with their binocular vision. These are needed to see the 3D images in movies. Strabismus and amblyopia are both eye conditions which can cause the person to experience eyestrain which can in turn lead to a headache.

Strabismus is the professional term used when the eyes don’t align properly when focusing. Amblyopia  is the loss or lack of development of clear central vision in one eye, even when using eyeglasses or contact lenses. Even people who struggle to keep their eyes lined up and moving together will have trouble processing the 3D images.

People who have experienced trouble when viewing 3D images should consult their eye care professional and have an eye exam and have their stereoscopic vision assessed.

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

A recent study published in the online journal BioPsychoSocial Medicine reveals that type 2 diabetics were much more likely to demonstrate poor impulse control in psychological testing than healthy people.

Standard testing of impulse control of newly diagnosed diabetics resulted in the diabetics making about 50% more errors of commission than normal controls, regardless of whether they were overweight.

Cognitive impairment did not play a role because the diabetic patients performed just as well as controls did on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test of executive function.

The findings of this study may explain why diabetic patients have difficulty adjusting to the lifestyle changes  of avoiding high-fat foods and daily exercise. Researchers would like to conduct further studies to determine the potential causal role of impulsivity in the development of type 2 diabetes. This could lead to the development of psycho-behavioral interventions aimed at improving impulse control which could be helpful in preventing or treating type 2 diabetes.

Andrea Schumann
Staff Writer

An 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

Glaucoma 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

Patients 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