Long Term Corticosteroid Use May Lead to Cataracts Glaucoma

Long Term Corticosteroid Use May Lead to Cataracts Glaucoma
Corticosteroids are used with countless people by suppressing the immune response and inflammation. They are the cornerstone of treatment for ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, ulcerative colitis, and many other diseases. With long-term use they have serious side effects such as weight gain, hypertension, osteoporosis, diabetes, thinning of the skin, muscle weakness cataracts, glaucoma and many other effects.

Researchers develop photochromic lenses

In Singapore researchers have developed UV-responsive, or lenses that darken when exposed to ultraviolet light, protecting the eyes against the sun’s damaging rays. The lenses contain a novel polymer laced with an intricate network of nano-sized tunnels filled with dyes. The investigators hope to have these photochromic contact lenses commercially available within a year.

Gecko’s Multifocal Vision

Gecko’s Multifocal Vision
Nocturnal helmet geckos are among few living creatures on Earth that are able to perceive and distinguish colors at night. Their eyes feature a series of concentric zones of varying refractive powers comprised of large cones (cells that perceive color) up to 350 times more sensitive than human cones.

Color Vision Deficient Patients

Color Vision Deficient Patients should wear sunglasses
Patients with color vision deficiency must wear sunglasses according to a study published in the April issue of Optometry and Vision Science. Those sunglasses should have ultraviolet protection and polarization to reduce the damaging rays of the sun. Grey lenses were also recommended since grey filters the visible light spectrum equally.

What’s Race Got to Do With It??

What’s Race Got to Do With It??
While each patient is an individual, racial differences exist for certain eye conditions and knowing these differences affects diagnosis and treatment. For example, some forms of glaucoma (primary open angle) is up to 4.3 times more prevalent in blacks compared to whites. In addition, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is twice as high in blacks and Mexican-Americans than in non-Hispanic whites.

Seven out of 10 children...

Study indicates seven out of 10 children, young adults may be deficient in vitamin D.
Low vitamin D levels have been associated with high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels and lowering of the HDL which is the “good cholesterol” which put together put a child at future risk of cardiovascular disease. In a study published in the journal of pediatrics it was mentioned that youngsters are spending more time indoors (reducing sunshine levels (vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin)) and drinking less milk which is also another valuable source of vitamin D.