© 2010 - Vision Care Consultants
Vision Care Consultants
12121 Tesson Ferry Professional Ctr.,
Saint Louis MO 63128 - Phone: (314) 843-5700
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel /ARA (2/8) reports that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) "is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans over age 50, according to the American Optometric Association." Currently, "the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate 1.8 million have AMD and another 7.3 million people are at risk. As our population ages at an ever-increasing rate, the incidence of AMD is expected to triple by 2025." The article goes on to explain how people develop AMD, what factors may affect central vision, such as "harmful blue light from the sun, indoor lighting, and even computers, along with poor diet, smoking, and high body mass index."
On its website, KDKA-TV Pittsburgh (1/12) reported that next-generation contact lenses, "called 'smart lenses'...are packed with circuits, sensors and wireless technology -- all designed to keep an eye on your health." Researchers are now testing contact lenses that may someday "replace the standard blood test," pointing out that "biomarkers found in the blood -- such as cholesterol, sodium, potassium and glucose -- can also be found on the surface of the eye." Currently, one type of smart contact lens already out on the market in Europe monitors eye pressure over the course of a day. Called the Trigger Fish, it can diagnose glaucoma. Contact lenses still in the developmental stage may one day slowly release eye medication over a long period of time.
Reuters (12/17, Grens) reported that in young women playing lacrosse appear to have far fewer eye injuries since wearing eye protection mandated by US Lacrosse since 2004, according to a study published online Dec. 8 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine. During the years 2002 to 2003, 22 eye injuries were experienced by female players. Following the protective eye wear requirement of 2004, however, only five injuries occurred between 2004 and 2009. Notably, of those cases, one involved inflammation and the other four injuries were because the young women had failed to wear protective eye gear
The Chicago Tribune (11/29, Stevens) reports that "driving in the dark poses very real dangers to your physical well-being, particularly if your daytime vision is less than 20/20." Cristina Schnider, senior director of medical affairs with Johnson and Johnson vision care, provided "some tips on minimizing the risk," such as making sure that "daytime distance correction is well adjusted for your eyes" and making sure that astigmatism is properly corrected. Making sure that eyeglasses have anti-reflection coating will cut down on nighttime glare. Motorists driving at night should be mindful that their reaction times are slower and that the eye processes images differently in darkness. Therefore, it's important to "slow down," and "minimize multi-tasking," Schnider advised.
BBC News (11/5) reported that a new laser treatment pioneered in the US by Stroma Medical may change a "patient's eye colour. Dr Gregg Homer claims 20 seconds of laser light can remove pigment in brown eyes so they gradually turn blue. He is now seeking up to $750,000 (£468,000) of investment to continue clinical trials." A computer scan maps the iris. The laser then "agitates the pigment on the surface of the iris" several times over the course of 20 seconds. About three weeks later, the eyes turn blue. Eye experts "urge caution," however, "because destroying eye pigment can cause sight problems if too much light is allowed to enter the pupil."
HealthDay (10/31, Preidt) reports that according to a study published in the October issue of the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, "a physically active lifestyle may help protect your eyes from glaucoma." After examining "the association between physical activity and eye pressure in 5,650 men and women aged 48 to 90 in Britain," researchers "found that moderate physical exercise performed about 15 years previously was associated with a 25 percent reduced risk of low ocular perfusion pressure (OPP), an important risk factor for glaucoma."
KCRG-TV Cedar Rapids (10/26, Yeung) reports, "Dr. Rachel Bishop from the National Eye Institute says that people should not get decorative contacts until they've seen an eye specialist, gotten a prescription, and learned how to care for them." Otherwise, "taking shortcuts and buying these without getting an eye exam" could put "a person at significant risk," ranging from "irritated eyes to permanent vision loss." The FDA said "even decorative lenses are prescription, so over-the-counter sales are illegal."
The Star-Ledger (10/26, Baxter) reports the FDA has "received reports of the lenses causing corneal ulcers, eye infections and vision loss because of people not using them properly, or because they were not designed properly for someone's eyes," according to the FDA.
The Boston Globe (10/13, DeMarco) reports, "Car windows -- and those in your home -- are good at filtering out ultraviolet B rays, which cause sunburns. But car and home windows generally don't filter out ultraviolet A rays, which penetrate deeper into the skin" and "can interfere with your body's ability to protect against skin cancer," explained dermatologist Paul Lizzul, MD, PhD, MPH, MBA, associate director of clinical research in dermatology at Tufts Medical Center. According to the American Academy of Dermatology's website , sunscreen should be worn "on exposed areas whenever we go outside," and that includes inside the car. Quality sunglasses that block UVA, UVB & UVC should also be worn outside and inside the car to protect the eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet rays. If you are not sure if your sunglasses provide all that protection just bring them in to Vision Care Consultants optical. Our experienced opticians will check them in our UV scanner and let you know how your glasses perform.
Reuters (10/6, Forsyth) reports that Texas A&M's Texas Transportation Institute released a study yesterday finding that using a cell phone while operating vehicles doubles a driver's reaction time. The longer reaction time means drivers have less time to focus on the road and react to changing conditions. The study tested 42 drivers between 16 and 54 who sent and received text messages while driving on an 11-mile text rack. When not texting, a driver took one to two seconds to respond to a flashing light. However, a texting driver took three to four seconds, making them 11 times more likely to drive through the flashing light. This is the first study conducted on actual vehicles, not simulators. US DOT statistics show that about 20% of fatal accidents are due to texting and driving.
USA Today (9/15, Healy) reports, "A third of all prescription eyeglass wearers regularly use two or more pairs, sometimes just to have different frames for different fashions." What's more, "about 16 million Americans who don't even need prescription glasses still wear eyeglasses to be fashionable, according to Kristie Whitford, fashion spokesperson for the trade group The Vision Council." The article goes on to detail the latest eyewear fashions for the fall, including "vintage revivals" and "Geek chic."
On its website, the trade outlet Occupational Health & Safety (9/2) reports that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) "has asked for comments from stakeholders about possibly lowering the current US occupational exposure limit for radiation to the lens of the eye. NRC hasn't begun rulemaking on the issue, but its notices said the international radiation protection community may follow the International Commission on Radiological Protection's recent recommended limit of 20 mSv (2 rem) per year, averaged over defined periods of five years, with no single year exceeding 50 mSv (5 rem)." Currently, the US limit is "seven times higher: 150 mSv (15 rem) per year."
OzarksFirst (8/10) reports in a brief story, "Optometrists remind parents to add an eye exam to your child's back to school checklist." OzarksFirst notes, "The American Opto metric Association says healthy eyes at the start of the school year can help avoid some learning difficulties in class." The article also includes some advice from AOA's James Sheedy, OD, about the importance of giving one's eyes a chance to rest when spending long amounts of time in front of the computer. "Every twenty minutes you look away for twenty feet for twenty seconds and this gives the eyes a chance to relax," Sheedy said. Here at Vision Care Consultants our pediatric specialist Dr. Marie Wehner makes certain every child in our practice has healthy, effective vision with all the tools necessary for them to succeed academically.
Modern Medicine (8/10) reports, "In an effort to assess and address the vision-related effects of the increased use of technology in learning environments, the American Optometric Association (AOA) has conducted a survey and released a report." AOA expert James Sheedy, OD, PhD, said, "Today's classroom technology is extremely visual, making it critical for students to maintain excellent eye health ... Binocular vision, focusing abilities, as well as nearsightedness and farsightedness should be checked by an eye doctor yearly, particularly as students head back to school." AOA has also "developed a new report, ' 3D in the Classroom–An AOA Report ,' in collaboration with educators, vision researchers, and 3D industry experts, to explain the optimal uses of 3D technology in the classroom to teachers, students, and parents."
The Time (6/20, Melnick) "Healthland" blog reported that, according to a study published in the June issue of the Archives of Ophthalmology, "people who got the highest amounts of several nutrients, including zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, in their diet had a lower risk of developing a condition known as macular degeneration." For the study, investigators examined "2,167 people over age 55 who had one of the two genes known to contribute to macular degeneration," surveyed eating habits, then followed the group for 10 years. "The researchers found that among those with the CFH gene variation, people who got the most zinc, beta carotene, omega-3 fatty acids or lutein/zeaxanthin in their diets were less likely to develop macular degeneration than those who got the lowest amounts." Here at Vision Care Consultants our doctors prescribe the eye vitamins containing all the above mentioned nutrients for our patients who need them.
USA Today (6/9, Healy) reports that wearing a hat and protecting eyes "from harmful UV rays" is as much a part of sun protection as slathering on sunscreen. "A 2009 survey by the American Optometric Association found that one in three adults are unaware of the eye health risks of spending too much time in the sun without proper protection." Excessive UV exposure may result in pterygium, macular degeneration, or cataracts. And, "even a few hours of intense, unprotected exposure can have consequences, says optometrist Sarah Hinkley of the American Optometric Association," possibly leading to painful photokeratitis.
The Calgary Herald /Monterey County Herald (5/26, Quinn) reported that, according to the National Eye Institute, eyesight is "all about light" entering the eye and hitting the retina. That body "contains 'photoreceptors' that convert light to electrical signals that travel to the brain and figure out what we 'see.'" Unfortunately, ultraviolet (UV) light may damage eyes, much like it does skin. Fortunately, "specific nutrients and other substances in foods can help to absorb dangerous light and act as a shield." The article went on to explain that vegetables and fruits containing zeaxanthin and lutein may help protect the eye against damage caused by ultraviolet light. Here at Vision Care Consultants we have advanced instrumentation that measures the actual amounts of these protective pigments in your eyes. If we find your pigment levels too low our doctors can prescribe for you the corrected supplement to replace those protective pigments back safe levels before retinal damage occurs.
In a guest column in the Des Moines Register (5/24), Dr. Robert S. Bar, of the University of Iowa College of Medicine, wrote, "Unless Americans drastically change their dietary and exercise habits, diabetes may play a major role in nearly 90 percent of all patients seen by US physicians in the next five to 10 years." Of special concern is "a larger, poorly defined group of people that arguably could double or triple the current number of people with diabetes," that is, those who have been "described by physicians as having 'borderline diabetes' or 'pre-diabetes.'" Bar made the case for lifestyle changes to slow the coming tide of type 2 diabetes patients, such as exercise, losing weight, cutting out junk foods, and being aware of family history. Here at Vision Care Consultants we do comprehensive eye exams to detect even the earliest effects of diabetes could have on your eyes.
Consumers increasingly feel more comfortable buying eyeglasses from online vendors. While buying online is convenient and cost-effective, consumers may not end up with the prescription they need. In fact, optometrist Sam Pierce, OD, "a board member of the American Optometric Association, which represents 36,000 doctors of optometry, says preliminary research has revealed some eyewear prescriptions are not being filled accurately online." Because of that, the AOA "and the Vision Council plan to release a joint report this summer examining the safety of buying prescription glasses on the Web."
The AP (5/16) reports, "Warnings about the difficult season have come from allergy specialists from New York to Atlanta, Chicago to California." Heavy snow and rain in "some parts of the country have nourished a profusion of tree pollen, while a sudden shift to warm, sunny weather has made its release more robust." The deluges and some flooding have also boosted the "volume on mold."
25th February, 2011 - Posted by Dr. David Seibel - No Comments
Extended exposure to 3-D media input especially for certain individuals may have potential vision risks
Coming soon to an electronics store near you will be a series of new 3-D video games! The thought is exciting to many. Greater reality in imaging, a more intense gaming experience. But will this have eye and vision implications? Well, generally for most people the answer will be no. At most these 3-D games, just like 3-D movies and television can result in some eye strain or headaches after prolonged viewing. There is no credible scientific evidence that viewing 3-D media causes any perminent eye or vision problems. Some individuals (especially young children) who have a binocular vision condition called “esophoria” where the eyes tend to focus or align closer in space than the object they are looking at may be at greater risk for problems. Theoretically the stress of over-convergence associated with 3-D media could stimulate progression in myopia (nearsightedness) development in these “at risk” individuals. However this is only a theoretical possibility and not supported by evidenced based research at this point in time.
The Washington Post (7/4, Butler) reported that wearing sunglasses is necessary to protect the eyes from damage from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Optometrist Michael Rosenblatt, OD, pointed out that "certain people run an elevated risk for UV damage," particularly people "with light-colored irises." He explained, "If you easily burn in the sun, you should think of yourself as a person who suffers greater damage from UV light in all areas, including your eyes." For that reason, he recommended sunglasses that "extend from the eyebrow to the cheek and wrap around the contour of face, along with lenses that have 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. At Vision Care Consultants our opticians can verify your current sunglasses to make sure they provide the full spectrum of UV protection.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (7/18, Kelly) reports, "More than 600,000 Americans will suffer an eye injury while playing a sport this year," according to the National Eye Institute (NEI). "Of these, about 42,000 will be serious enough to require treatment in a hospital emergency room." But, "more than 90 percent of these injuries could be prevented if the athletes were wearing protective eyewear, say the NEI and the national associations of ophthalmologists and optometrists." Regular eyeglasses are no substitute for impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. Ideally, the glasses should completely cover the eye socket, particularly for those who play basket ball and racket ball.
Vision Care Consultants
12121 Tesson Ferry Professional Ctr.,
Saint Louis MO 63128 - Phone: (314) 843-5700