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Archive for the ‘Diseases and Conditions’ Category

Early Detection Needed for Glaucoma

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

By the time you find out you have glaucoma, often called “the silent thief of sight,” saving your vision may be too late. This is because many people do not realize they have it, according to a University of Southwestern medical Center ophthalmologist. Due to this, he recommends increasing the need for early detection.

Glaucoma risks increase in people 40-years-old or older, those who have a family history of glaucoma, or are of Hispanic or African-American decent. Testing through eye dilation every two years is recommended. However, every person should see an ophthalmologist yearly, especially those who may have significant risk factors for glaucoma.

Symptoms of glaucoma include:

Red eyes
Eye pain
Halos
Nausea
Headaches
Vomiting

Symptoms also include vision loss, but it can be so gradual that victims often do not realize the severity until most of their vision is gone. This loss is irreversible and the onset can be very fast.

If you have risk factors, such as age, family history, or genetics, you should see an ophthalmologist to be tested for glaucoma. If you have any of the symptoms of glaucoma, and have ruled out other health issues, contact an experienced ophthalmologist immediately. Once glaucoma steals your vision, you cannot get it back.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with an experienced ophthalmologist to be tested for glaucoma, please find one in your area today through eyes.com.

Posted in Diseases and Conditions, Glaucoma | Comments Off

Drug May Help Prevent the Spread of Eye Cancer

Monday, December 12th, 2011

Researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri have just released a study showing that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, common in anti-seizure medications, prevent the spread of uveal melanoma, the most common type of eye cancer. According to principal investigator, J. William Harbour, MD, “Melanoma in general, and uveal melanoma in particular, is notoriously difficult to treat once it has metastasized and grown in a distant organ.” This means that eye cancer can easily become deadly without prompt and proper treatment.

Slowing Tumor Growth

According to the study, HDAC inhibitors are capable of reversing the molecular signature of uveal melanoma, changing the way key genes are expressed and rendering the tumor less aggressive. While these findings are preliminary, the prospect of slowing the progression of eye cancer is certainly exciting news to ophthalmologists and oncologists alike.

Clinical trials are set to begin within the next 12 months. Because HDAC inhibitors are already on the market and are known to have relatively few, mild side effects, the lead researchers do not expect much trouble getting FDA approval for this new use.

If you are suffering from any vision disorders, please use the eye doctor locator at eyes.com to find an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.

Posted in Diseases and Conditions, Eye Cancer | Comments Off

Happy Halloween; Don’t Go Blind

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Once again, ophthalmologists are warning people who are deciding to dress up for Halloween this year to be careful with decorative contact lenses. All of these lenses may look great with scary costumes (vampires are a very popular choice with these lenses), but it’s what might happen to your eyes as a result of wearing them that’s truly frightening.

Contact lenses are prescription only, fitted by a trained ophthalmologist. Sticking ill fitting, over-the-counter lenses into your eyes may cause pain and inflammation. Redness, tearing, and serious pain are not uncommon. These risks can lead to corneal abrasions and blindness.

Goopy, pus-filled eyes, and deep red around the pupils is truly a terrifying site to behold. For you, those around you, and your eye doctor eye infections can be very difficult to deal with. Prescription eye drops, sitting in the dark to avoid light sensitivity (sort of like vampires), and more is not worth it.

Although some of these lenses have been banned for several years, and contacts in general have been classified as medical devices by the FDA since 2005, it is still very easy to get them from costume shops, pop-up Halloween stores, and even beauty supply stores. Know that you risk blindness for one or two days of looking scary.

Eye health is important to remember all year long. When Halloween comes around, if your perfect costume requires you to put these decorative lenses into your eyes, you may want to speak with an eye doctor before, and not after, the big Halloween party.

If you are suffering any of the side effects of placing decorative contacts into your eyes, please find an experienced eye doctor in your area immediately to avoid serious injury or blindness.

Posted in Contact Lenses, Diseases and Conditions, Eye Safety | Comments Off

Eyelid Blobs May be Indicator of Heart Disease

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Yellowish blobs around the upper and lower eyelids that look like chicken fat, called xanthelasma, may be indicators for heart attacks and heart disease, according to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal. The study shows that men between the ages of 70 and 79 with xanthelasma had a 12 percent greater risk of heart disease than men without the eyelid blobs. Women with xanthelasma had a risk of eight percent.

While eye conditions are a good indicator of signs of high cholesterol, this recent study has surprised doctors. People whose cholesterol was normal still had an elevated risk of heart disease if they had xanthelasma. Xanthelasma are clumps of macrophages, an immune system cell, filled with cholesterol. People with a genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia often have elevated cholesterol levels, and often have xanthelasma.

Although dermatologists are most often referred when xanthelasma is present, some people may visit their eye doctor. (It’s a condition near or on the eyelid, so why not?) And these people often want the blobs removed. However, simply removing the blobs does not end the problem. If you or your doctor sees these yellow patches, it is important to have your cholesterol levels checked. It truly is a matter of life or death.

If you would like more information on what eye conditions are an indicator of your health, please find an experienced eye doctor in your area.

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Diabetes Drugs May Increase Risk for Eye Disease

Thursday, September 29th, 2011

A recent study echoed earlier research that the popular diabetes drug Actos may increase the risk of diabetic macular edema (DME).

The medication is currently under scrutiny due to mounting evidence that it also contributes to pulmonary edema and bladder cancer. Eye disease in those who suffer from diabetes is one of the most common causes of blindness among American adults, according to the National Eye Institute.

DME specifically is a condition in which the retina swells and thickens as a result of leaking blood vessels. Blurry vision occurs and worsens as the condition develops; DME can lead to blindness.

According to a study of more than 100,000 patients presented at the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting in June, those taking Actos and Avandia—a similar diabetes drug that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ordered be pulled from pharmacies by this November—were three to six times more likely to develop DME than diabetics not taking the drugs.

The research, conducted by the University of Nottingham, indicated that patients who have poor control of their blood sugar or a previous history of macular edema are at an especially high risk for DME if taking Actos or Avandia. Those with these risk factors should talk with their physicians about the potential risks and other possible treatment options.

Please visit our Find an Eye Doctor page to locate an ophthalmologist near you.

Posted in Diabetic Retinopathy, Diseases and Conditions | Comments Off

Simple Test During Eye Exams Could Diagnose Diabetes

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

A simple blood test during routine eye exams would likely diagnose millions of cases of Type 2 diabetes, according to a recent Durham University study.

An estimated 150 million people have Type 2 diabetes, which is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults. Tens of millions of people, however, are thought to have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, which may only be detected when related health problems arise.

The Durham University research indicates that testing for the disease in unconventional settings such as optometry offices and dental clinics would identify a significant number of instances of Type 2 diabetes in time to begin treatment before complications occur. The study, which was published in the July issue of the British Journal of General Practice, found that 32 percent of 1,000 people visiting an optician for an eye test and presenting risk factors for diabetes were referred to their general physicians for follow-up diagnosis after blood-glucose level tests.

While even most pharmacies have the ability to conduct the basic finger-prick blood test necessary to identify Type 2 diabetes, most diabetes screenings are conducted in doctors’ offices, medical clinics and hospitals. Ophthalmologists and optometrists, however, already have an understanding of diabetes and its effects on eye health; vision care professionals frequently screen diabetes patients for eye diseases.

Dr. Jenny Howse of the Durham University School of Medicine and Health, the study’s lead author and a former optician, said healthcare professionals such as eye doctors and dentists are an untapped resource in identifying diabetes in patients who do not routinely visit their family physicians.

“Opticians could provide routine, non-emergency care and the simple screening can be done outside usual medical settings,” said Howse in the article “Screening and Identifying Diabetes in Optometric Practice: A Prospective Study”.

To learn more about the links between diabetes and vision health, please contact an ophthalmologist near you.

Posted in Diabetic Retinopathy, Diseases and Conditions | Comments Off

Treating Strabismus (Crossed Eyes)

Thursday, August 25th, 2011

If both of your eyes have difficulty focusing on a single object at the same time, you may have a condition called strabismus – more commonly referred to as crossed eyes. People with strabismus can look directly at an object, but one of their eyes will always be pointing in a different direction: out, in, up, or down. This disorder is generally caused by a paralysis of your eye muscles, or by muscles that unequally pull on your eyes.

Crossed eyes are most common in babies who have not yet developed appropriate control over their eye muscles. However, true strabismus doesn’t go away as a child ages. If left untreated, crossed eyes can eventually lead to “lazy eye” (amblyopia), permanently decreasing a person’s vision capacity.

The sooner strabismus is treated, the lower your risk will be of developing amblyopia. Depending on the severity of the condition, treatment can be as simple as eye exercises, eye patches, or other types of vision therapy to help strengthen your eye muscles.

If vision therapy alone does not effect change, other treatments can include:

Eye drops that help your ability to focus
BOTOX® Cosmetic injections that relax your eye muscles
Prescription prism or bifocal glasses that provide better focus
Eye surgery to properly realign your eyes

Unlike other disorders, strabismus can be easily identified without a vision exam. If you or your child has crossed eyes, be sure you seek treatment as soon as possible to prevent future vision problems. Contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today to schedule an initial consultation.

Posted in Diseases and Conditions, Eye Safety | Comments Off

Study Links Myopia with Higher Glaucoma Risk

Saturday, July 23rd, 2011

In a recent study, researchers concluded that people with myopia may have twice the likelihood of developing glaucoma, the world’s leading cause of blindness.

Myopia is the condition of being nearsighted, that is, being able to see close objects clearly but having trouble seeing far objects. Myopia occurs when the eyeball is too long or the cornea too curved, making your eye unable to correctly focus light at certain distances. Nearly 1/3 of all U.S. residents are nearsighted.

In the study, researchers in the Netherlands analyzed a collection of studies previously published in Ophthalmology. They kept track of who had myopia and who had glaucoma out of the tens of thousands of people included in the studies, and they found that nearsighted people were around 90% more likely to develop acute angle glaucoma. They also found that those with higher myopia had a higher risk of glaucoma. Though ophthalmologists recommend regular eye exams after age 40, researchers recommended that nearsighted people, no matter what age, should have annual eye exams.

While this study draws alarming conclusions for nearsighted people, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force says it provides too little evidence to change the recommendation for eye exams.

One problem with the study is that it shows only that there may be a relationship between myopia and glaucoma, not that myopia causes glaucoma. The researchers make no claims to understand how a misshapen eyeball could cause damage to the optic nerve which results in blindness. The study also collected data from studies analyzing people of different ages and ethnicities, and it is hard to make generalizations about relationships between conditions over such a broad spectrum of people.

Though this study is not conclusive, it is worthwhile for myopic patients to be aware that they may have a higher risk of glaucoma. If you have myopia and wish to learn more about glaucoma risks and prevention, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today.

Posted in Diseases and Conditions, Glaucoma, Uncategorized | Comments Off

Floaters 101: What’s Normal and What’s Not

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

What Are Floaters?

Most everyone experiences floaters at one time or another. If you’ve ever been staring off into space and seen a dot or line drifting in front of your eyes, you’ve had a floater. Floaters are usually small pieces of debris in the eye’s vitreous humor, the gel-like substance between the lens and the retina that helps give your eye its shape.

Most of the time, floaters are not a problem. You will primarily notice them if you are staring at a blank, light surface like a wall or countertop, but they should not be bothersome or hinder your vision during everyday activities.

Are There More Serious Problems Associated with Floaters?

If you start to see many floaters accompanied by flashes of light and vision loss, you should schedule an appointment with your eye doctor. These are signs of retinal detachment, where the retina becomes torn or disconnected in the eye. If left untreated, a detached retina leads to loss of blood flow to the eye and permanent blindness.

Another problem associated with floaters is called Degenerative Vitreous Syndrome or DVS. As the eye ages, the vitreous humor begins to break down, liquefying and pulling away from the retina. Collagen fibers in the vitreous humor begin to clump together and become floaters.

This is a natural part of the aging process. However, the clumps may become so numerous that they begin to block large portions of the retina, causing problems with driving, reading, and other daily activities. Surgery is one treatment option that can remove the floaters, but it is often accompanied by many risks.

If you have more questions about floaters and treatment options, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area who can answer your questions during your free consultation.

Posted in Diseases and Conditions, Eye Anatomy | Comments Off

Keeping Your Eyes Healthy with Proper Nutrition

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

When most people think about eye health, they probably aren’t worrying about improving their diet. However, the truth is that what you eat affects your entire body – your eyes included. Patients who are careful to eat a diet rich in certain vitamins and nutrients can effectively reduce their risk of many different eye diseases, keeping their vision healthy for years to come.

Some important vitamins and minerals you should include in your diet are:

Vitamin C – Contains antioxidants that rid your body of harmful free radicals, reducing your risk of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Good sources of Vitamin C: strawberries, citrus fruit, broccoli, and green peppers.
Vitamin A – Keeps your retina functioning properly, and also reduces the risk of night blindness by helping your eyes adjust to variations in light and dark. Good sources of Vitamin A: carrots, eggs, and spinach.
Vitamin E – Prevents cataracts from forming and/or delays their growth. Good sources of Vitamin E: nuts, green vegetables, fortified cereal.
Minerals – Selenium and zinc help your body better absorb antioxidants (i.e., from Vitamin C). Both zinc and selenium can be found in yogurt, red meat, cheese, macaroni and cheese, and enriched rice and breads.

If you have more questions about nutrition for your eyes, contact an experienced ophthalmologist in your area today to schedule a consultation.

Posted in Cataracts, Diseases and Conditions, Eye Safety, Macular Degeneration, Uncategorized | Comments Off