A new study finds that the majority of people who self-administer eye drops to manage their glaucoma are having trouble hitting the target.  More than 25% of those studied failed to get the drops in their eyes.  Of those who were successful, few were able to give themselves exactly the right dosage.  Researchers were surprised by the low success rate and by the fact that most people did not realize that they were having trouble getting the study’s required single drop in each eye.

Study authors say that this proves that eye care providers should teach patients the best way to administer the drops, which is usually with a mirror, tilting the head back and placing the drop in the eye while holding down the lower eyelid. Family members and certain devices may also be of help.

SOURCE: http://link.reuters.com/rum98m

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

A recent article in Yahoo News states that the changing nature of the US population will mean more cases of glaucoma.  Age, obesity, and race can all be factors that may influence one’s chances of getting glaucoma (blacks and Hispanics are more likely to develop the disease).  Known as the “silent thief,” by the time one notices the tell-tale decrease in peripheral vision, the disease is already in a very advanced stage. Glaucoma is the damage of the optic nerve, and though often linked to pressure in the eyes, this is not always the culprit.

The number of cases of glaucoma does not have to increase, however, just because we are living longer or because the population is becoming more diverse.  Changes in diet and lifestyle can reduce your risk of glaucoma and other eye diseases and improve your overall health.  For more details, please visit our pages on glaucoma prevention.

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

Updated research continues to show the effectiveness of using eyedrops with 1% n-acetyl-carnosine solutions for preventing and managing cataracts. Research also indicates these eyedrops may help other eye conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, primary open-angle glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Babizhayev and colleagues published their study in American Journal of Therapeutics (N-Acetylcarnosine Lubricant Eyedrops Possess All-In-One Universal Antioxidant Protective Effects of L-Carnosine in Aqueous and Lipid Membrane Environments, Aldehyde Scavenging, and Transglycation Activities Inherent to Cataracts: A Clinical Study of. American Journal of Therapeutics, UNKNOWN DATE;16(6):517-533).

Editor’s Note: For information on Can-C eyedrops (1% n-acetyl-carnosine eyedrops), go to www.naturaleyecare.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1831

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

Men who consistently failed to express their resentment over conflicts with a fellow worker or supervisor were more than twice as likely to have a heart attack or die of heart disease as those who vented their anger, claims a report in the Nov. 24 online edition of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

Most complementary care modalities have long recognized the strong correlation of “excessive” chronic emotions and disease. In Chinese medicine, emotions play a strong role in disease and determining treatment strategies, including repressed anger impairing the Liver (meridian) which can result in a wide range of illnesses (such as heart disease and migraines) and eye diseases (including glaucoma, dry eyes and eye inflammatory conditions), grief affecting the Kidneys (meridians) and sadness affecting the Stomach/Spleen (meridians) for example.

For more information on lifestyle, diet and vision, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

The number of Americans with diabetic retinopathy is expected to increase from 5.5 million to 16 million by the year 2050.  Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by complications of diabetes, which can eventually lead to blindness.

Researchers used data from the National Health Interview Survey and the US Census Bureau to project the number of people with diabetic retinopathy (DR), vision-threatening DR (VTDR), glaucoma, and cataracts among Americans 40 years or older with diagnosed diabetes mellitus for the years 2005-2050.

Study results showed:

• the number of Americans 40 years or older with DR will triple from 5.5 million in 2005 to 16.0 million in 2050
• the number of Americans 40 years or older with VTDR will also triple, from 1.2 million in 2005 to 3.4 million in 2050
• increases among those 65 years or older will be more pronounced (2.5 million to 9.9 million for DR and 0.5 million to 1.9 million for VTDR)
• the number of cataract cases among whites and blacks 40 years or older with diabetes will likely increase 235% by 2050, and 
• the number of glaucoma cases among Hispanics with diabetes 65 years or older will increase 12-fold.

Study authors stress the importance of efforts to prevent diabetes as well as to optimally manage diabetes and its complications.

SOURCE:  Projection of Diabetic Retinopathy and Other Major Eye Diseases Among People With Diabetes Mellitus, Saaddine, et al, Arch Ophthalmol. 2008;126(12):1740-1747.

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

According to the AOA’s American Eye-Q(R) survey, which assesses public knowledge and understanding of issues related to eye and visual health, only 18 percent of Americans know that macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in adults 65 years of age and older, and less than a quarter of all Americans understand the effects of glaucoma.

This is particularly concerning as with the baby boomer population coming of age as seniors.

Source: SOURCE American Optometric Association, URL: http://www.aoa.org www.prnewswire.com

Editor’s Note: Through diet, lifestyle and specific nutritional supplementation, there is a great deal one can do to maintain healthy vision and significantly reduce the risk of onset of eye diseases such as macular degeneration. For more information, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

According to a recent study that appears in August’s online issue of BMC Ophthalmology, just ten minutes daily of aerobic exercise may help prevent further vision loss, based on researchers from the
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Department of Anesthesiology at the “G.Papanikolaou” Regional Hospital in Thessaloniki, Greece.

See more information on nutrition and glaucoma.

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

A Canadian research team has uncovered lymph channels in the eye, a find that could lead the way to improved treatments for glaucoma and possibly other eye diseases. Previously lymph channels were not believed to be associated with the part of the eye related to glaucoma.

The lymphatic system consists of organs, ducts, and nodes that transport a watery clear fluid called lymph, which performs two major functions. The fluid distributes immune cells called lymphocytes and other elements throughout the body, which protect the body against infections. It also interacts with the blood to drain waste and fluids from cells and tissues. Lymphatics are found in every part of the body except the central nervous system and, until now, the eyes were excluded as well.

This discovery provides a new avenue in the potential treatment and possibly cure of glaucoma by specifically targeting the lymphatic circulation to lower eye pressure.

Editor’s Note: For more information on glaucoma and related nutrients, go to www.naturaleyecare.com/glaucoma

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites

According to a recent study that appeared in August’s online issue of BMC Ophthalmology, just ten minutes daily of aerobic exercise may help prevent further vision loss.

For more information on helping preserve vision naturally, go to www.naturaleyecare.com

Reddit This Post

Share this

Hide Sites