Cataracts

Cataract Myth
Do you think that cataracts are a growth that develop s on the eye?? This is what most people think a cataract is. In reality a cataract is a clouding of the lens (crystalline lens) or in its “envelope” (capsule) within the eye. Cataracts vary in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light. The gradual yellowing and opacification of the lens may reduce the perception of color (especially blue). Cataracts can develop from a variety of reasons including long term ultraviolet exposure, exposure to radiation, secondary effects of diseases (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), advanced age and several others. When a cataract has been sufficiently developed it is removed by surgery (including extra-capsular and intra-capsular surgery). The power of the natural crystalline lens can be replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) which can now be focusing (Crystalens), astigmatic and multifocal.

Contact Lens Trends

Of the 53% of US Citizens who require vision correction, 13% wear contact lenses. Forecasters predict 7% to 8% annual growth of the contact lens industry over the next few years. Estimates put the contact lens global market at about $5 billion, with the United States accounting for 40% of that total. Soft contact lens make up 90% of new contact lens fits, with rigid lenses (gas permeable) holding steady at 10%. Approximately 2/3 of wearers are female. Historically, lenses that are worn daily (throw out after one day wear) as a percentage of new fits have hovered around 5%. In 2007 the U.S. soft contact lens market grew by 6% according to Ciba Vision marketing data while the daily disposable market grew by 30%.

Cancer Cost

As a colon cancer survivor (surgery 1/19/05) I am acutely aware of the financial impact that cancer has on the individual as well as its impact the world and American economy. According to a study by Virginia Commonwealth University , “ their human-capital analysis put the figure at $116 Billion in 2000 and a projected cost of $147.6 billion in 2020”. Another analysis published by the National Cancer Institute scientists estimated that in 2000 the cost was $960 billion and a projected price tag in 2020 of $1.472 trillion!

Researchers say that they have stimulated growth of retinal cells in mice

As reported in the November edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “cells in the retina of mice can be coaxed to create new neurons following injury”. The implication for this technology is exciting since the possibility of “regenerating” vision after damage is soon to be a reality.

Lenses made for reading assistance (Presbyopia)

• Bifocals: Lenses with two powers – one for distance and one for near – separated by a visible line.
• Trifocals: Lenses with three powers for seeing at varying distances – near, intermediate and far – separated by two visible lines.
• Progressive Addition Lenses (PAL’S): These lenses have many advantages over bifocals and trifocals because they allow the wearer to focus at many different distances, not just two or three. Because they have no lines, progressive lenses allow a smooth, comfortable transition from one distance to another.

If you see well in the distance without the need for eyeglasses, simple reading glasses with single vision lenses may be all you need to deal with near vision problems caused by presbyopia.

Photochromic lenses (Transitions®):

Photochromic lenses are convenient indoor-outdoor eyeglass lenses that automatically darken to a sunglass shade outside when exposed to sunlight, and then quickly return to a clear state indoors. These lenses also provide 100% protection from the sun’s UV rays, and are available in a wide variety of lens materials and designs, including bifocal and progressive lenses.The amount of darkening that most photochromic lenses undergo depends on how much UV radiation they are exposed to. As a general rule, these lenses won't get as dark behind the windshield of your car or truck because the glass blocks out much of the sun’s UV rays that cause the lenses to change color.

Immediate Eye Exam

Common Conditions requiring an immediate eye exam
If you experience any of the following symptoms please consider immediate action and see an optometrist:
- Sudden floaters
- Flashing lights
- Curtain effect (peripheral field)
- Transient vision loss (vision coming and going)
- sudden blurred vision
- recent blurred vision
- gradual vision loss
- metamorphopsia- distortion of vision
- micropsia- objects appear smaller than normal in one eye
- scotoma- blind spot
- nyctalopia- trouble with night vision
- acquired color vision abnormalities
This list is not complete but should serve as an instant “red flag”

Want Thinner, lighter lenses?

Nearly everyone can benefit from thinner, lighter lenses. High index lenses can be up to 50% thinner than regular glass or plastic lenses, and they’re usually much lighter, too.
Though these lenses are especially beneficial if you have a strong eyeglasses prescription, they can make a noticeable difference in the appearance of virtually any pair of glasses. High index lenses bend light more efficiently than regular glass or plastic lenses, so less lens material is required to correct your vision.
Various high index lenses are available today in different price points based on how much thinner they are compared to regular plastic lenses. The lenses are classified by their “index of refraction” (or “refractive index”).
Generally, lenses with a higher index of refraction will be thinner (and usually more expensive) than lenses with a lower index. The index of refraction of regular plastic lenses is 1.50. The refractive index of high index plastic lenses ranges from 1.53 to 1.74.

Macular Degeneration

Age Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD or macular degeneration) takes on two basic forms dry and wet. ARMD is the leading cause of blindness in elderly patients around the world. The wet form accounts for 10% of patients with the disease but these patients make up 90% of the patients who suffer severe visual loss. The dry form appears as soft yellowish deposits throughout the central macula (area of cells (cones) that are responsible for daylight vision, colors, letters, etc.) referred to as soft drusen. Patients with large numbers of drusen are at risk of developing wet ARMD. The vision loss associated with wet ARMD is due to neovascular (weak blood vessels) tissues which grow under the retinal tissues causing hemorrhages, scarring and damage to the cells that respond to light (photoreceptors). Treatment is controversial and includes nutritional supplements, laser surgery and injections into the eye (Lucentis, Avastin).