Avastin, "Superior to Standard of Care, for treating wet AMD"

According to a paper published in the British Medical Journal, avastin (a drug used to treat bowel cancer) should be prescribed to patients with “the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD)”. UK researchers compared lucentis to avastin.

Researchers Examine How Diet, Medications Affect Cataract Development

Researchers Examine How Diet, Medications Affect Cataract Development
Health Day (6/4/10) reported that according to two published studies a healthy diet helps guard against cataract formation (hazing of the natural crystalline lens of the eye). They also found that some medications affect sensitivity to the sun (antidepressants, diuretics, antibiotics and Naproxen (pain reliever) as well as increase the risk of age related cataracts.

Early manifestations of macular degeneration may involve modifiable risk factors.

According to a study in the June issue of Archives of Ophthalmology factors such as smoking and HDL cholesterol have a dramatic effect on AMD. Of those studied who smoked 11 or more packs of cigarettes per week had an increased risk of early AMD by two-thirds and every increase in 5mg/dL increase in HDL lowered the risk by almost 10%

Researchers Create 3-Dimensional, Retina-Like Structure

University of California-Irvine researchers have created this retina-like structure out of human embryonic stem cells in hopes that one day it may serve as transplant material for macular degeneration and other diseases of the retina

Valproic Acid Used to reverse vision loss by Retinitis Pigmentosa

A drug used for epileptic seizures, migraines and bipolar disorder may halt or even reverse the loss of vision created by this retinal disease according to the British Journal of Opthalmology.

What is a Stye?

A stye, or hordeolum, is a small bump that can appear on the outside or inside of eyelid developing from an eyelash follicle or an eyelid oil gland that becomes clogged from excess oil, debris or bacteria. Styes can be brought about by increased stress, but can also be a complication of blepharitis (inflammation of eyelid). The treatment includes warm compresses, gentle massage of affected area and antibiotic ointment or eye drops.

Top 5 Ways to Protect Eyes from the Sun

1) Wear Protective eyewear
2) Choose Quality sunglasses
3) Inspect your sunglasses to assure they are perfectly matched in color and free of distortion
4) Wear gray-colored lenses
5) Protect Children and teens

UV Eye Safety

We protect our skin with sunscreen, but what about our eyes? There are 3 types of UV radiation UVA, UVB and UVC (UVC poses no threats since it is absorbed by ozone layer). UV rays can damage the eye’s surface tissues as well as the cornea and lens. There can be short term and long term effects of UV radiation. It is not yet known how much exposure will cause damage but you should wear quality sunglasses that offer good protection and should:
1) block out 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B radiation
2) screen out 75-90 percent of visible light
3) be perfectly matched in color and free of distortion and imperfection
4) have lenses that are gray for proper color perception

Glaucoma Risk factors

Glaucoma has been called “The Sneak Thief of Sight” because it slowly causes vision loss without warning signs. It can not be prevented but it can be controlled if diagnosed early. Certain people are at a greater risk than others:
1) People over aged 50
2) Those severely nearsighted
3) Individuals with diabetes, hypertension, previous eye surgery or long-term steroid use
4) African descent (African-Americans have glaucoma 4-5 times more often than others
5) Those with a family history
6) Those with a history of eye injury or trauma
7) Those with high intraocular pressure
8) Those with abnormal optic nerve head

Night Driving

For most people night driving can prove more of a challenge than daylight driving. The pupil of the eye dilates in poor lighting reducing a person’s “depth of focus”. Let me make some suggestions to improve your night driving results:
1) take your time- allow your eyes a chance to adjust to varying light levels
2) minimize glare- night driving settings on rearview mirror, non-glare coatings on eyeglass lenses
3) keep of all interior lights off
4) reduce your driving speed
5) keep your car in tip-top shop for maximum safety and headlights bright and windshield clean.

School vision screenings

School vision screenings are designed to check a child’s eyesight, or sharpness of vision (ex. 20/20). Many times, for several reasons, a child’s close up skills responsible for reading such as tracking, focusing and binocular vision are either overlooked or not revealed. The American Optometric Association warns that school vision screenings may not accurately measure your child’s overall eye health. The AOA recommends having your child’s eyes examined at the ages of 6 months, 3 years and 5 years.

Wet vs. Dry Age Related Macular Degeneration

The leading cause of blindness in people over aged 65 and older is AMD. The part of the retina that is responsible for our sharp central vision is the macula and for these purposes think of it as a piece of graph paper with many different boxes. Dry AMD progresses slower and begins as changes in the pigmented cells of the macula, in wet AMD abnormal blood vessels can bleed into those “boxes” lift the macula and causing visual distortions.

Top 7 Ways for Contact Lens User to minimize eye infections

1) Remove contact lenses before immersing in water
2) Wash hands before handling lenses
3) Keep your contact lenses clean & disinfected
4) Use fresh products and discard used solutions
5) Store contacts in clean, dry, disinfected cases
6) Replace contacts regularly and on schedule
7) Have regular eye examinations

Higher Vitamin D status associated with decreased risk for Type II diabetes

According to the Framingham Offspring Study researchers found that those patients with higher vitamin D status had a 40% lower incidence of diabetes

Pregnancy and Vision

1) Many times contact lenses become intolerable during pregnancy and it is often suggested to wear glasses during the duration of the pregnancy.
2) Mild changes can occur to your prescription during pregnancy but are usually temporary.
3) Due to hormonal changes the eyes can feel more dry and irritated during pregnancy.
4) If you are already diabetic pregnancy may exacerbate diabetic retinopathy which can also blur the vision.
5) Complaints of spots are taken very seriously often being confused with scotomata which can indicate preeclampsia or eclampsia.

Supplementation of Lutein in diet may help slow progression of Retinitis Pigmentosa

In a study published in the April issue of Archives of Ophthalmology it was reported that supplementation with the carotenoid lutein slowed the progression of the visual field loss in patients with RP who are treated with Vitamin A.

Two New Studies Highlight genetic link between age related macular degeneration and cholesterol

Both AMD and elevated cholesterol seem to share a particular variant of a gene known as LIPC which regulates high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the blood. There isn’t a direct cause-and-effect relationship but it is possible that the eye disease might have something to do with how the body transports nutrients in the blood.

Light May Exacerbate Migraine Pain

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center say they have figure out why light makes migraines worse. They have discovered retinal cells that travel along the optic nerve to the brain contain neurons that become electrically charged during a migraine which intensifies the pain.

Radiation Therapy for Age Related Macular Degeneration?

Oraya Therapeutics, Inc. is enrolling subjects to demonstrate the effectiveness of low-energy X-ray radiation treatment of wet stage ARMD.

Stem Cell Treatment restores sight to damaged eye

A UK man who had lost his sight due to an accident with ammonia had a millimeter square section of his corneal layer complete with stem cells grown to 400 times their original size stitched to the damaged part of the cornea restoring the patients vision almost “completely”.

Routine Eye Exam vs. Medical Eye Exam

The type of eye exam you have is determined by the reason for your visit or your chief complaint, as well as your diagnosis. Most insurance companies focus on the reason for your visit. Routine vision exams usually produce diagnosis such as nearsightedness or astigmatism while a medical exam produces diagnoses such as conjunctivitis.

Routine Eye Exam vs. Medical Eye Exam

The type of eye exam you have is determined by the reason for your visit or your chief complaint, as well as your diagnosis. Most insurance companies focus on the reason for your visit. Routine vision exams usually produce diagnosis such as nearsightedness or astigmatism while a medical exam produces diagnoses such as conjunctivitis.
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Which Eyeglasses Fit Your Face?

When choosing eyeglasses, keep in mind that the frame should enhance the shape and features of your face. Choose a contrasting shaped frame to complement the shape of your face, for example:
1) Oval- almost any frame will complement an oval shaped face
2) Round- choose a geometric shaped frame (rectangular) to make face appear longer.
3) Oblong- widen and shorten an oblong face by wearing frames that do not extend beyond the widest part of the face.
4) Square- reduce the sharp angles of a square face by choosing soft, curvy frames
5) Diamond- try rimless frames or soft ovals to minimize width of the temples.
6) Triangle- try frames that angle out at the top corners or styles with rimless bottoms.
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Control Your Hypertension!

Control Your Hypertension!
Hypertension raises the risk for stroke, heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease and damage to the eyes. You can control your blood pressure by controlling diet (reduce the amount of salt and make sure you consume enough potassium), utilizing diuretics or similar medications, get enough sleep, reduce your stress, control your weight, exercise and reduce your consumption of cigarettes and alcohol.
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Eye Test May Detect Alzheimer’s Years before Symptoms Develop

Researchers from University College London used fluorescent markers that attach to dying cells in the brain of mice which can signal the early onset of Alzheimer’s. Research has shown that cells start to die ten to 20 years before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s become evident
www.drrsterling.com

Light May Exacerbate Migraine Pain

Researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center say they have figure out why light makes migraines worse. They have discovered retinal cells that travel along the optic nerve to the brain contain neurons that become electrically charged during a migraine which intensifies the pain.
www.drrsterling.com

Radiation Therapy for Age Related Macular Degeneration?

Oraya Therapeutics, Inc. is enrolling subjects to demonstrate the effectiveness of low-energy X-ray radiation treatment of wet stage ARMD.
www.drrsterling.com

Stem Cell Treatment restores sight to damaged eye

A UK man who had lost his sight due to an accident with ammonia had a millimeter square section of his corneal layer complete with stem cells grown to 400 times their original size stitched to the damaged part of the cornea restoring the patients vision almost “completely”.
www.drrsterling.com