Posts Tagged ‘macular degeneration’

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News for Eye Health 2012

Friday, February 10th, 2012

The race is on in many areas of medical research to try to improve the lives of patients with eye disease, so what’s in the news so far this year?

The incidence of Macular Degeneration increases with age, and this disease is the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology have been looking into the use of Vitamin D to help to prevent the disease. Trials have so far suggested that it may be successful in safeguarding blood vessels that supply the retina.

A new camera has been developed for use within the National Screening programme for Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetes givers rise to many debilitating symptoms, and can also affect sight. Patients should attend for regular eye examinations and retinal screening. The new camera, produced by Haag-Streit UK will offer users a range of screening options and easy transfer of images between eye care professionals.

Stargardt’s disease is a type of macular degeneration that causes sight loss in young people. Moorfields eye hospital has been given permission to perform a trial into retinal stem cell treatment for this debilitating disease. The technology was developed in the USA, and involves injection of stem cells into the retina. Trials are going ahead on 12 patients this year.

Cardiff University are looking at the treatment of clinical depression in patients with visual impairment. The study will examine the results of different treatments on these patients – whose mobility and independence can be severely restricted by their sight problems and their mental health. The study will enlist the help of patients at St Thomas Hospital London, and patients from clinics in Wales.

Varifocal Glasses

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Low Vision Aid

Wednesday, August 17th, 2011

As Opticians we pride ourselves on providing a service as well as offering the best and newest designs in frames, lenses and contact lenses. Sometimes we pass patients onto consultants for treatment of problems such as Glaucoma, Cataract or Macular Degeneration. There is also a less well known step in the process where we can look after patients suffering from low vision who need a special type of magnifier or visual aid rather than corrective treatment.

In the UK there are more than two million people registered as blind or partially sighted. We can help these patients by assessing the standard of vision they can achieve, and prescribing devices that make life easier. These may be simple hand-held magnifiers, lenses or telescopes attached to spec frames, large print books and clocks, or computer based viewing systems to enable the patient to read once more. Tinted lenses or special filters may be prescribed, or high illumination lamps. Technology plays a part too, with electronic magnifiers and e-books with an enlarged image.

If you are a carer for a relative with a visual defect that can’t be corrected, then using Low Vision services may significantly improve their quality of life, and allow them more independence. Advice on using a white stick or referring them on to Guide dog services may be a life changing experience. Different devices help patients to get around more easily, manage day to day living, or enjoy hobbies once again. If the Optician says that specs won’t help the patient any more, then ask if a referral to a Low Vision clinic would be suitable. There is often much trial and error to find the solutions that will suit each individual, and patients may need a combination of aids to help them. Annual assessment is recommended, to make sure that as sight changes the patient still has the best aids.

Varifocal Glasses

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The Perfect Pupil

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

If eyes are the window to the soul, then pupils must be the vital heart of things, a dark window that allows opticians and ardent suitors the opportunity to really look deep into the eyes. The pupil is a central hole, surrounded by a ring of muscle that controls it’s size, allowing the pupil to widen or constrict, depending on light conditions and how much you like what you’re seeing!

If you’re in bright light, your pupil closes down; stopping damaging UV rays from reaching the delicate internal structures inside the eye that make up your visual system. The lens just behind your pupil may suffer from cataract at some stage of life, and one of the reasons for this is UV exposure. Macular degeneration is also partly caused by UV. Never buy a cheap pair of sunglasses without full UV filters – they will make your pupil open up, flooding the exposed eye with UV.

Pupils are usually the same size, responding equally to stimulus. A difference of up to a millimetre between the two is however common, and usually it’s just because the two eyes are slightly different. Now for the science bit – different size pupils have the cool medical name of anisocoria. If this is normal for the patient then when we dim the lights and examine the pupils we’ll see that they both react in the same way, at the same time.

If pupils remain at different sizes under different lighting conditions, then there may be an underlying problem. This could be due to a fault in nerve supply to the eye, or an anatomical problem. Medication (or recreational!) drugs may also affect pupil size. If it’s suddenly apparent that pupils are different sizes, then this should be investigated. There are several medical conditions that can give rise to this symptom, some more serious than others, so seek advice if you suddenly notice this problem.

If you gaze into the eyes of that special someone who makes your heart beat a bit faster – no not your optician! -  Then your pupils will dilate, so it’s a useful indicator if you’re out on a blind date! You might want to cover up with sunglasses if you want to keep your feelings to yourself!

Varifocal Glasses

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General Health Precautions Benefit Eye Health

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

Age Related Macular Degeneration is the leading cause of sight loss in the Western world, and research is increasingly discovering that we can all reduce our risk factors with a few precautions that make sense to help general health too. As our population ages diseases due to us ‘wearing out’ are increasing, and ARMD is an example of this. A lifetime of exposure to pollutants, UV light, and a diet lacking in essential nutrients can lead to retinal damage and loss of sight.

Protecting the retina is vital, so we should all wear UV filtering specs, on clear or tinted lenses when we’re outdoors. Interestingly, less people seem to wear specs on the beach than in parks, but note that more light is reflected back from sand and water than any other surface. This is important for children, who are likely to spend more time outdoors, and have less natural protection in the inner structures of the eye. This allows more UV inside the eye, reaching the vulnerable retina. Sunglasses are cool, so persuading kids to wear them should be easy! Make sure they fit comfortably and conform to EU safety standards for full UV protection. Wide brimmed hats will also help to screen the eyes.

The five a day we’re all meant to eat protect your retina along with all the other health benefits it brings in terms of reducing the likelihood of Colon and other cancers. Aim for a range of coloured vegetables, with the emphasis on the green and leafy! Carrots, tomatoes, parsley and blueberries are all excellent too, and supplements containing Lutein and Zeathanthin will help you to maintain high levels of pigment in your retina. Macular pigment filters out the harmful blue light which causes the damage.

Moderate exercise, taken daily, will benefit general health and your sight. Oxygen circulating in the blood stream benefits the eyes too, and arthosclerosis has been cited as a risk factor in ARMD. Give up smoking now! It’s a pollutant that affects the retina as well as every other organ in the body! Keep an eye on your blood pressure, and take your GPs advice if you’re told you need to lower it. Systematic hypertension has been proven as another risk factor to ARMD.

So without sounding like the nanny state, it makes sense that if we can help our eye health along with our general health, that’s more benefits for the same amount of effort – win win!

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The Fear Factor

Wednesday, August 11th, 2010

People can be very squeamish about eyes, and of course frightened of losing their sight. As we age, other health issues can escalate and visiting the Optician is yet another appointment to worry about. The most common eye conditions that affect the over 60’s can however be treated if caught early, so don’t delay, keep up to date with your check ups and take action on any problems.

Statistics suggest that up to a quarter of a million people living in Britain risk blindness from undiagnosed Glaucoma, a disease which can often be successfully treated with drops. Some patients need surgery, but treatment is straightforward and preferable to losing your sight. As there are no symptoms that the patient is aware of initially, it’s important to attend for regular eye tests.

Cataracts occur when the crystalline lens within the eye becomes opaque. It can result from trauma, UV exposure, or simply ageing. It’s easily treated by surgery, but 25% of people suffering from blindness over the age of 75 have Cataracts, and this could be corrected. Annually in the UK the NHS is responsible for over 300,00 Cataract surgeries.

ARMD – Age Related Macular Degeneration – is the commonest cause of blindness in the Western World. In the UK it affects the lives of over 600,000 people. Monitoring by your Optician can spot the earliest signs, when changes to diet and dietary supplements can help to control the condition. The very fast progress of the wet form of the disease needs immediate treatment, so early detection is essential.

Dry Eye Syndrome is the commonest form of eye irritation in the over 65s, leading to discomfort and problems with vision. There are various therapies which can deal the symptoms, no patient needs to suffer without trying different remedies and drug regimes.

If you have an elderly relative make sure they can visit the optician, or arrange a home visit. Even if eye conditions can’t be treated then solutions such as low vision aids might make a significant difference to the daily life, and everyone should take advantage of any treatments available.

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Kick the Habit

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Everyone would probably agree that sight is the most precious of our senses. Most of us could not imagine how we would conduct our lives if we couldn’t see. Yet millions of are risking our sight every day without being aware of it.

Nowadays we all know that smoking causes heart disease, lung disease and hundreds of other adverse effects in our bodies. Relatively few people however seem to attach their smoking habit to the risk of serious eye disease. There are approximately 13 million smokers in the UK, and they are twice as likely to lose their sight in later life as non-smokers. They are putting themselves in danger of developing Macular Degeneration, which affects sight by destroying the Macula, responsible for the centre of the field of vision. We use this delicate area of the eye for fine detail and damage there makes it difficult to carry on with everyday life as normal.

Macular Degeneration is the commonest cause of sight loss in the Western world, with an estimated half a million sufferers in the UK. 55,000 of these patients may have the disease due to a history of smoking. There are two forms of the disease, wet and dry. Wet can be treated by Laser if caught immediately, dry has no cure at present but taking dietary supplements may protect the eye and halt symptoms. Researchers are pinning their hopes on stem cell research at present, and developing techniques of transplanting cells from healthy areas of the eye to the diseased Macula.

Giving up smoking at any stage of life can help to reduce your chances of getting Macular Degeneration. At present it’s the only proven cause of the disease, so anything patients can do to protect their sight in later life is surely worth it – so if you’re still lighting up, kick that habit today!

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As Time Goes By

Saturday, June 12th, 2010

As opticians we are obviously fully trained and qualified in every aspect of sight care, from eye and general health issues, to what specs you should have to improve your golf swing! Within all these areas of expertise we also have to remember that every patient is an individual, with their very own specific questions and concerns. One of the most important things we have to keep in mind is that sight changes throughout life. So what do we look out for as time goes by?

From the first minute we are born, every part of our body changes, and eyes are no exception. Across every age range about 66% of the population wear some form of sight correction. Your chances of a visual defect occurring increases as you age, and the biggest change is when we reach our mid-forties, and need help for reading. This can be a sensitive issue for many patients! Fifty may be the new thirty but nobody told our eyes about this!! The statistics show that only 33% of people wear glasses under the age of 35, but nearly everyone needs them over age 65.

As our lives are increasingly full and dynamic, even retired people get involved in every kind of sporting activity and use computers for their leisure time. The days of simple reading glasses are over for most of us, so we have to take care not to make assumptions about which patients need what. We’ve got an 89 year old gentleman who still goes skiing, and a 91 year old who has just learnt to e-mail her Great Grandchildren! So we have to look out for eye health problems that occur with age, and then disregard age when it comes to discussing specs. The most common eye health problems are Glaucoma, in the over 40 age group, and Macular degeneration in the over 60s.

If ill health strikes and patients become frail, illness may affect aspects of sight and lifestyle which we can help with. It may be as simple as recommending a daylight reading lamp to help with close work at night, or a referral to a Low Vision Aid (LVA) clinic. Visual problems may have to be corrected with something more complex than a pair of specs, and the LVA clinic will help with magnifiers to improve quality of life in specific eye conditions.

Every day brings a new challenge, and being aware of a patients’ age helps us to make full diagnosis and help in every way possible.

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Specs for all Occasions

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Thanks to the rise of good quality, affordable, fashionable and functional glasses available over the net, spectacle wearers have never had it so good in terms of choice and economy. Gone are the days when we had one pair of glasses that we wore for doing the shopping, work, and posh events. If you’re new to specs wear, or just thinking of updating your eyewear options, here are a few thoughts on what you need to see and look good for Summer!

Work/Daily Wear – you may be a high flying exec, or embroiled in the school run, but either way you need a frame to suit your everyday lifestyle. Think about the clothes you wear, and pick a frame that matches your daily uniform in terms of colour and style. For the office it may need to be sharp, smart, and non-frilly! For a more home based lifestyle, soft colours and detail but not shiny bling. A neutral shade that tones with your hair will match any outfit and make you look co-ordinated with little effort.

Evening Wear – this is an occasion to pile on the bling. Pick some shimmer or sparkle, in a darker colour to suit glam make-up and dramatic jewellery. If you’re an LBD kind of girl then black with diamante will be the perfect accessory. If you like an array of evening wear then you could go for a shiny metal that goes with your usual choice of jewellery.

Sports Wear – If you have a particular penchant for cycling, squash, or swimming, then you may need a specific type of frame or tint to suit your sport. You need to cover the aspects of safety, sun protection, and comfort. There are sport specific tints and frames that will raise your game, so talk to your optician, online or in person for help.

Sun Wear – With the depleted ozone layer and our awareness of eye disease such as Macular Degeneration, we all know that our skin and our eyes need protection in the sun. You can go for prescription sunglasses, which stay dark all the time, or photochromics (Reactions) which will adapt to the light conditions. Prescription sunnies look more like proper sunglasses, but you do have to remember to keep a clear pair with you. Photochromics don’t involve as much chopping and changing, but for some they are never dark enough. Weigh up the pros and cons for your lifestyle before deciding.

Hobby Wear – If you have a specific hobby then you may need a different prescription or type of frame to make life easier. We can alter your prescription for specific distances and situations, and suggest lens types that will work for you. Just tell us what you do and we’ll do the rest!

Mail us anytime if you need a specialist pair of glasses, or for advice on your eye care needs. The choice is endless, and the right eyewear for the right situation will make life much easier!

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Eye Health Breakthroughs

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Some exciting eye health advances have hit the news within the past couple of weeks, with a couple of surprising ways to protect your sight!

Researchers at the Hong Kong Eye Hospital have found the Green tea could help in the prevention of the eye disease Glaucoma. Glaucoma leads to loss of peripheral vision due to excess production or inadequate drainage of fluid within the eye. This leads to an increase in pressure within the eyeball, which damages the Optic nerve. The study examined Rat’s eyes, where it was found that catechins, active constituents in green tea, are absorbed by the eye. This helped to protect against oxidation, the cause of some eye diseases.

A test that can be purchased and used at home can help patients to find out their risk of Age Related Macular Degeneration. This eye disease leads to loss of central vision and fine detail. The kit uses a small saliva sample for analysis, which is then checked and a full report issued. A free counselling service is also offered, with suggestions to protect against and prevent ARMD.

For sufferers of ARMD, research has proven that Saffron can reverse the disease. Saffron is a spice used as a colouring in Spanish and Indian cuisine, which derives from Crocus Savitus flowers. Pound for pound it can cost more than Gold, due to the vast quantities of delicate filaments needed to make a pound of Saffron. It is a well known anti-oxidant and is presently used to treat cancer and depression. It encourages oxygen flow, and in the eye affects fat storage to make the cells of the retina more resilient to damage. Patients on the trial showed a reversal of symptoms while taking the Saffron, and researchers are now working on finding the optimum dosage.

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Glaringly Obvious

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

Frosty mornings are now upon us, and we’re thinking of eggnog and Christmas carols – but did you know that you’re at as much danger from UV at this time of year as any other? Low winter sun might not be as warm, but the glare is just as dangerous, as is the hidden hazard of UV.

UV is a potential trigger to cataract formation and macular degeneration, especially if your eyes are a light colour. Pale blue grey or green eyes have less melanin, the natural pigment, and this means that UV rays can more easily penetrate the eye and cause damage to the crystalline lens within your eye and the retina.

During the autumn and winter, UV is most hazardous during the early morning and late afternoon. This is when the sun is low and glare is brightest. Continue to wear your prescription sunglasses or photochromics, both will protect your eyes as long as they incorporate a full UV barrier. Glare is obviously also a hazard when driving, so make sure your glasses have an anti-reflection coating too.

Those most at risk are people who work outdoors, winter sport enthusiasts, and children. Winter sports create a risk as the snow and ice increases glare. Outdoor workers are obviously exposed to sun for greater amounts of time, and children are less likely to wear good quality sunglasses. Always check that the lenses conform to EU safety standards and give 100% protection against all wavelengths of UV.

If skiing, be doubly sure of the UV coating and the safety aspect of the frame – this is an area where any economy is a false one. A fall on a frame that may damage the delicate eye area could be catastrophic to the wearer. Look for goggles with an elasticated headband, foam padding around the rims, and a large enough lens area. This needs to completely clear the eye orbit itself and rest on the forehead and cheekbones.

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