Untreated, Poor Vision Linked to Alzheimer’s Related Dementia
(Stephen J. Baetge of senior-spectrum.com) A recent study by the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS) has discovered a possible link between untreated visual disorders and Alzheimer’s related dementia, leading researchers to remind older Americans not to neglect routine eye examinations as part of their efforts to maintain overall good health.
According to the study, elderly individuals with visual disorders that are left untreated are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease — the most common form of dementia.
Using Medicare data from 625 people compiled from 1992-2005, researchers discovered that those with poor vision who visited an ophthalmologist at least once for an examination were 64 percent less likely to develop dementia.
The results of the study, published online in the American Journal of Epidemiology, are expected to draw a new picture of poor vision as a predictor of dementia rather than as a symptom after diagnosis of the disease.
“Visual problems can have serious consequences and are very common among the elderly, but many of them are not seeking treatment,” observed the study’s lead author, Mary A.M. Rogers, Ph.D., research assistant professor of internal medicine at the UM Medical School.
“Our results indicate that it is important for elderly individuals with visual problems to seek medical attention so that the causes of the problems can be identified and treated,” Rogers continued.
To perform the study, researchers analyzed data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study and records from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. They found that the types of vision treatment that were helpful in lowering the risk of dementia were surgery to correct cataracts and treatments for glaucoma, retinal disorders and other eye-related problems.
Not surprisingly, proper vision is a requirement for many of the activities which previously have been found to lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Risk reducing activities include reading, playing board games, other mentally stimulating activities, social networking, as well as physical activity such as walking and routine exercising. Studies have also shown that visual disorders may interfere with normal mobility and may hinder a person’s ability to participate in such activities.
UMHS researchers believe that one reason older American’s do not seek early treatment for visual problems is a lack of adequate vision coverage under most insurance.
“Many elderly Americans do not have adequate health coverage for vision, and Medicare does not cover preventative vision screenings for most beneficiaries,” Rogers explained. “So it’s not unusual that the elderly receive vision treatment only after a problem is severe enough to warrant a visit to the doctor, when the problem is more advanced.”
According to a survey performed by the National Eye Health Education Program, less than 11 percent of people surveyed knew that there are no early warning signs for eye problems such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.
Vision problems and blindness are among the top 10 disabilities for adults and can result in a greater tendency to experience other health conditions or even to die prematurely.
“While heart disease and cancer death rates are continuing to decline, mortality rates for Alzheimer’s disease are on the rise,” cautioned Rogers.
One in five Americans over age 50 reported experiencing a visual impairment, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over five million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, and that number has doubled since 1980. The number is expected to increase with the demographic shift resulting from an aging population.
Rogers emphasized the need for early detection of visual impairment as a way to combat the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.
“If we can delay the onset of dementia, we can save individuals and their families from the stress, cost and burden that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” she said.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Drinking Green Tea Promotes Eye Health
WASHINGTON (via foodproductdesign.com)—Healthful substances found in green tea penetrate into tissues of the eye and raises the possibility that green tea may protect against glaucoma and other common eye diseases, according to a new report published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The report is the first to document how the lens, retina and other eye tissues absorb these substances.
Researchers point out green tea catechins have been among a number of antioxidants thought capable of protecting the eye. Those include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin; however, until now nobody knew if the catechins in green tea actually passed from the stomach and gastrointestinal tract into the tissues of the eye.
Researches conducted experiments with laboratory rats that drank green tea. Analysis of eye tissues showed beyond a doubt that eye structures absorbed significant amounts of individual catechins. The retina absorbed the highest levels of gallocatechin, while the aqueous humor tended to absorb epigallocatechin. The effects of green tea catechins in reducing harmful oxidative stress in the eye lasted for up to 20 hours.
Researchers point out green tea catechins have been among a number of antioxidants thought capable of protecting the eye. Those include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein and zeaxanthin; however, until now nobody knew if the catechins in green tea actually passed from the stomach and gastrointestinal tract into the tissues of the eye.
Researches conducted experiments with laboratory rats that drank green tea. Analysis of eye tissues showed beyond a doubt that eye structures absorbed significant amounts of individual catechins. The retina absorbed the highest levels of gallocatechin, while the aqueous humor tended to absorb epigallocatechin. The effects of green tea catechins in reducing harmful oxidative stress in the eye lasted for up to 20 hours.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Physical Exercise and Eye Health
(virtualmedicalcentre.com)
Introduction to physical exercise and eye health
The role of exercise in promoting good health is well known, particularly in relation to preventing cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and obesity. The role of exercise in protecting eye health is relatively little known in the general population and there is also a lack of evidence from scientific studies outlining the role of physical exercise in protecting the eyes from vision loss and other eye diseases. However, available evidence suggests that regular physical activity has a protective effect in relation to a number of eye disorders.
There is also evidence that exercise protects against cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD shares many common risk factors with age related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in Australia) and obesity (which is associated with greater severity of vision loss).
Eye disorders associated with lack of exercise
The limited available evidence suggests that regular exercise protects against cataract and age related macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of vision loss in Australia.
Due to the other positive effects (e.g. improved cardiovascular health, weight loss) of exercise, it may also have a non-direct protective effect in relation to other eye diseases (e.g. diabetic retinopathy, a disease which occurs in diabetes, for which metabolic abnormalities and obesity are risk factors).
Age related macular degeneration
Age related macular degeneration or maculopathy is an acquired eye disorder. It has no cure and is the most prominent cause of age related blindness in Australia. Age related macular degeneration is a neurodegenerative condition, affecting the central retina or the section of the eye which enables the clear, sharp vision necessary for reading, driving and other such tasks.
While eyesight naturally deteriorates as an individual ages, the exposure which can cause eyesight to deteriorate more rapidly are similar to the exposure which increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. This suggests that exercise and body mass index may also play an important role in the progression of age related macular degeneration.
For more information on age related macular degeneration, including the effect of smoking, exercise and nutrition on eyes, as well as some useful animations and tips to keep eyes healthy, see Macular Degeneration.
Cataract
Cataract (cloudiness of the lens of the eye) is a condition characterised by the lens of the eye becoming increasingly opaque. It can lead to impaired eyesight or blindness. Globally, cataract is a major cause of vision impairment, which mainly affects elderly people. In Australia 160,000 cataracts are treated each year. The Blue Mountains Eye Study, conducted in NSW, Australia, found that the annual incidence of cataracts was 0.3% amongst individuals aged 49-54, 1.7% for those aged 55-64 years, 7.9% in the 65-74 year age group and 17.4% in individuals aged more than 75 years.
While further research is needed to fully understand how exercise protects against cataracts, it is most likely due to the effect exercise has on high density lipoprotein (‘good' cholesterol) concentrations. High density lipoprotein concentrations have been shown to increase in response to vigorous exercise and have both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Both inflammation and oxidation are thought to be involved in the development of cataracts.
Evidence supporting the role of exercise in protecting eye health
Scientific evidence demonstrating the effect of exercise on eye health is limited, however the few available studies suggest that increasing exercise can protect against cataract and age related macular degeneration. There is evidence that both moderate and vigorous exercise are protective.
Moderate exercise
In relation to the role of moderate exercise, a number of studies have reported associations between levels of physical activity and the incidence of age related macular degeneration and cataract. One study reported that individuals who were free of eye disease were significantly more likely to report high levels of physical activity compared to individuals with age-related macular degeneration.
Another large study in which participants underwent eye examinations for a 15 year period, reported that participants who exercised for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were 70% less likely to develop age related macular degeneration.
A case control study which compared physical activity level and lenses of cataract patients to cataract-free individuals, reported that individuals with low levels of physical activity were up to seven times more likely to develop cataract than those with high levels of physical activity.
Vigorous exercise
Two recently published studies have also provided evidence that regular vigorous exercise protects against both cataract and age related macular degeneration. The studies, conducted amongst a group of regular joggers, found that joggers who ran for less than two kilometres per day were 19% more likely to experience age related macular degeneration than those who ran 2-4 kilometres per day, and 42% more likely to develop the condition than those who ran more than four kilometres per day. The author of the study reported that the risk of age related macular degeneration decreased by 10% for every one kilometre of jogging per day.
Further analysis of data from that group of joggers in relation to cataract incidence demonstrated that men who jogged for > 64 km per week were 35% less likely to develop cataract than those who ran for >16km per week. Greater fitness (measured by time taken to run a mile) was associated with a 50% decreased risk of cataract in men. No associations between levels of physical activity and cataract in women were reported
Introduction to physical exercise and eye health
The role of exercise in promoting good health is well known, particularly in relation to preventing cardiovascular disorders, diabetes and obesity. The role of exercise in protecting eye health is relatively little known in the general population and there is also a lack of evidence from scientific studies outlining the role of physical exercise in protecting the eyes from vision loss and other eye diseases. However, available evidence suggests that regular physical activity has a protective effect in relation to a number of eye disorders.
There is also evidence that exercise protects against cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD shares many common risk factors with age related macular degeneration (the leading cause of blindness in Australia) and obesity (which is associated with greater severity of vision loss).
Eye disorders associated with lack of exercise
The limited available evidence suggests that regular exercise protects against cataract and age related macular degeneration, two of the leading causes of vision loss in Australia.
Due to the other positive effects (e.g. improved cardiovascular health, weight loss) of exercise, it may also have a non-direct protective effect in relation to other eye diseases (e.g. diabetic retinopathy, a disease which occurs in diabetes, for which metabolic abnormalities and obesity are risk factors).
Age related macular degeneration
Age related macular degeneration or maculopathy is an acquired eye disorder. It has no cure and is the most prominent cause of age related blindness in Australia. Age related macular degeneration is a neurodegenerative condition, affecting the central retina or the section of the eye which enables the clear, sharp vision necessary for reading, driving and other such tasks.
While eyesight naturally deteriorates as an individual ages, the exposure which can cause eyesight to deteriorate more rapidly are similar to the exposure which increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease. This suggests that exercise and body mass index may also play an important role in the progression of age related macular degeneration.
For more information on age related macular degeneration, including the effect of smoking, exercise and nutrition on eyes, as well as some useful animations and tips to keep eyes healthy, see Macular Degeneration.
Cataract
Cataract (cloudiness of the lens of the eye) is a condition characterised by the lens of the eye becoming increasingly opaque. It can lead to impaired eyesight or blindness. Globally, cataract is a major cause of vision impairment, which mainly affects elderly people. In Australia 160,000 cataracts are treated each year. The Blue Mountains Eye Study, conducted in NSW, Australia, found that the annual incidence of cataracts was 0.3% amongst individuals aged 49-54, 1.7% for those aged 55-64 years, 7.9% in the 65-74 year age group and 17.4% in individuals aged more than 75 years.
While further research is needed to fully understand how exercise protects against cataracts, it is most likely due to the effect exercise has on high density lipoprotein (‘good' cholesterol) concentrations. High density lipoprotein concentrations have been shown to increase in response to vigorous exercise and have both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Both inflammation and oxidation are thought to be involved in the development of cataracts.
Evidence supporting the role of exercise in protecting eye health
Scientific evidence demonstrating the effect of exercise on eye health is limited, however the few available studies suggest that increasing exercise can protect against cataract and age related macular degeneration. There is evidence that both moderate and vigorous exercise are protective.
Moderate exercise
In relation to the role of moderate exercise, a number of studies have reported associations between levels of physical activity and the incidence of age related macular degeneration and cataract. One study reported that individuals who were free of eye disease were significantly more likely to report high levels of physical activity compared to individuals with age-related macular degeneration.
Another large study in which participants underwent eye examinations for a 15 year period, reported that participants who exercised for 30 minutes or more at least three times a week were 70% less likely to develop age related macular degeneration.
A case control study which compared physical activity level and lenses of cataract patients to cataract-free individuals, reported that individuals with low levels of physical activity were up to seven times more likely to develop cataract than those with high levels of physical activity.
Vigorous exercise
Two recently published studies have also provided evidence that regular vigorous exercise protects against both cataract and age related macular degeneration. The studies, conducted amongst a group of regular joggers, found that joggers who ran for less than two kilometres per day were 19% more likely to experience age related macular degeneration than those who ran 2-4 kilometres per day, and 42% more likely to develop the condition than those who ran more than four kilometres per day. The author of the study reported that the risk of age related macular degeneration decreased by 10% for every one kilometre of jogging per day.
Further analysis of data from that group of joggers in relation to cataract incidence demonstrated that men who jogged for > 64 km per week were 35% less likely to develop cataract than those who ran for >16km per week. Greater fitness (measured by time taken to run a mile) was associated with a 50% decreased risk of cataract in men. No associations between levels of physical activity and cataract in women were reported
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Every February, The Eyes Have It
Dr. Alisa Hideg The Spokesman-Review
I recently found out that February is Low Vision Awareness Month, and it occurred to me that most of the time I take my sight for granted.
I remember my great grandmother lost her vision to macular degeneration at a young age. Later, my grandmother lost her vision to cataracts but then surgery became available and she could drive again.
If I lost all or most of my vision, how would it impact my life and my family’s life? How can I protect my sight and my family’s sight?
Eye examinations are about more than determining whether or not you need glasses. An eye exam can detect the effects of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune problems and many other diseases that can rob you of your sight.
Proper eye care and treatment can prevent, maintain or improve various eye conditions. Because the early signs of many eye conditions can be mild, regular eye exams are the best way to catch problems early.
When a child is born, their eyes should be examined in the hospital for congenital conditions such as cataracts or eye muscle problems. Their physician should check their eyes each time they go in for well-baby and well-child exams.
If there is a difference in vision between the two eyes, it needs to be addressed before a child is 4 to 5 years old or it could cause permanent problems. Poor vision over time can cause difficulties at school, headaches and even behavior issues.
As an adult, how often you should get an eye exam depends on your age and whether you have any special risk factors like diabetes, a family history of glaucoma or previous eye injuries or surgeries. Ask your eye doctor how often you should get an exam.
Besides routine eye exams, you can help preserve your and your family’s sight by being vigilant for signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, get to a physician as soon as possible. Any sudden change of vision needs immediate evaluation that day.
In children, watch for eyes that do not line up or appear crossed; red, crusty or swollen eyelids; watery or red eyes; rubbing eyes frequently; covering or closing one eye to see things; struggling with reading or other close-up work; holding things close to see them; squinting a lot; complaining of itchy, burning or scratchy eyes; dizziness, headaches or nausea after doing close-up work; and complaining of blurry or double vision.
In adults, be alert for the same things that you watch for in children, but also difficulty adjusting to dark rooms; trouble focusing; sensitivity to light or glare; change in eye color; recurring pain in or around the eyes; a dark spot at the center of anything you look at; wavy or distorted lines; spots in the vision; loss of vision in one eye; seeing flashes that others do not see; halos or rainbows around lights; and loss of side vision.
Some things are signs of a need for glasses or contact lenses, but others can be symptoms of more serious conditions that need treatment. You can read about many common eye conditions in more detail at the National Eye Institute Web site ( www.nei.nih.gov/ index.asp).
If you feel that you cannot afford to go to an eye doctor, you can find information about financial assistance at www.preventblindness.org/vlc/resources.htm and www.nei.nih.gov/health/financialaid.asp.
Another aspect of eye health is preventing injury. There are around 2 million serious eye injuries per year, and some estimates put as many as 90 percent of these as being preventable.
Protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses, safety goggles or a face shield when you mow the lawn, work with wood or do anything where there is potential for injury. This includes handling chemicals, racquet sports, basketball, baseball and hockey.
I wear sunglasses that have a safety rating for some of these activities because sun damage can cause melanomas, cataracts and other preventable eye problems.
Get your routine eye exams and be vigilant about your vision. Stack the deck in your favor for a lifetime of good vision so you can (literally) watch your kids and your grandkids grow up.
Dr. Alisa Hideg is a family medicine physician at Group Health’s Riverfront Medical Center in Spokane. Her column appears every other Tuesday in the Today section. Send your questions and comments to drhideg@ghc.org.
I recently found out that February is Low Vision Awareness Month, and it occurred to me that most of the time I take my sight for granted.
I remember my great grandmother lost her vision to macular degeneration at a young age. Later, my grandmother lost her vision to cataracts but then surgery became available and she could drive again.
If I lost all or most of my vision, how would it impact my life and my family’s life? How can I protect my sight and my family’s sight?
Eye examinations are about more than determining whether or not you need glasses. An eye exam can detect the effects of underlying health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune problems and many other diseases that can rob you of your sight.
Proper eye care and treatment can prevent, maintain or improve various eye conditions. Because the early signs of many eye conditions can be mild, regular eye exams are the best way to catch problems early.
When a child is born, their eyes should be examined in the hospital for congenital conditions such as cataracts or eye muscle problems. Their physician should check their eyes each time they go in for well-baby and well-child exams.
If there is a difference in vision between the two eyes, it needs to be addressed before a child is 4 to 5 years old or it could cause permanent problems. Poor vision over time can cause difficulties at school, headaches and even behavior issues.
As an adult, how often you should get an eye exam depends on your age and whether you have any special risk factors like diabetes, a family history of glaucoma or previous eye injuries or surgeries. Ask your eye doctor how often you should get an exam.
Besides routine eye exams, you can help preserve your and your family’s sight by being vigilant for signs and symptoms. If you notice any of them, get to a physician as soon as possible. Any sudden change of vision needs immediate evaluation that day.
In children, watch for eyes that do not line up or appear crossed; red, crusty or swollen eyelids; watery or red eyes; rubbing eyes frequently; covering or closing one eye to see things; struggling with reading or other close-up work; holding things close to see them; squinting a lot; complaining of itchy, burning or scratchy eyes; dizziness, headaches or nausea after doing close-up work; and complaining of blurry or double vision.
In adults, be alert for the same things that you watch for in children, but also difficulty adjusting to dark rooms; trouble focusing; sensitivity to light or glare; change in eye color; recurring pain in or around the eyes; a dark spot at the center of anything you look at; wavy or distorted lines; spots in the vision; loss of vision in one eye; seeing flashes that others do not see; halos or rainbows around lights; and loss of side vision.
Some things are signs of a need for glasses or contact lenses, but others can be symptoms of more serious conditions that need treatment. You can read about many common eye conditions in more detail at the National Eye Institute Web site ( www.nei.nih.gov/ index.asp).
If you feel that you cannot afford to go to an eye doctor, you can find information about financial assistance at www.preventblindness.org/vlc/resources.htm and www.nei.nih.gov/health/financialaid.asp.
Another aspect of eye health is preventing injury. There are around 2 million serious eye injuries per year, and some estimates put as many as 90 percent of these as being preventable.
Protect your eyes from injury by wearing safety glasses, safety goggles or a face shield when you mow the lawn, work with wood or do anything where there is potential for injury. This includes handling chemicals, racquet sports, basketball, baseball and hockey.
I wear sunglasses that have a safety rating for some of these activities because sun damage can cause melanomas, cataracts and other preventable eye problems.
Get your routine eye exams and be vigilant about your vision. Stack the deck in your favor for a lifetime of good vision so you can (literally) watch your kids and your grandkids grow up.
Dr. Alisa Hideg is a family medicine physician at Group Health’s Riverfront Medical Center in Spokane. Her column appears every other Tuesday in the Today section. Send your questions and comments to drhideg@ghc.org.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Vision Care - Tips for Men (AskMen.com)
(AskMen.com) Despite the obvious importance of eyesight, most men take it for granted. However, blindness and vision impairment are no small matter.
In the United States, there are 300,000 men who are blind and 1.1 million men with impaired vision. If you consider the whole world, these numbers are significantly larger: approximately 25 million men are blind and 83 million men have vision impairment.
Let's review five things you can do for good vision health.
1. Be aware of eye diseases and get regular eye exams
Most serious vision problems are caused by eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract.
In age-related macular degeneration, hardening of arteries in the eye cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply, resulting in damage to the central retina. This disease causes 54% of all blindness in the United States.
Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Because vision impairment is not apparent until a large amount of the nerve is damaged, half of the people with glaucoma don't even know that they have the disease until it's too late.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. In this disease, the blood vessels of the retina become blocked and damaged. Nearly half of all diabetics will develop some degree of this eye condition.
Cataract is the clouding of the eye's lens and is the leading cause of low vision among Americans.
Because early detection and treatment can make the difference between seeing and blindness, getting a regular eye exam is essential. As there are specific risk factors for the diseases above, those who are over the age of 65 or have diabetes, as well as African Americans over the age of 40, should get annual eye exams. An eye doctor can detect problems before you even have any noticeable signs of vision impairment.
2. Wear sunglasses
We all know that wearing sunscreen is good for our skin, but a lot of men forget that their eyes need protection as well. You don't have to look directly at the sun to suffer from eye damage. The sun's ultraviolet or UV rays can be reflected off snow, sand, pavement, and water.
These UV rays can increase your risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, and can even cause sunburn of the cornea in a condition called photokeratitis. This condition can lead to temporary blindness.
Make wearing sunglasses when outdoors a habit, but don't assume that if your sunglasses are dark tinted, they're okay. Make sure that your sunglasses provide 100% protection from UV rays.
3. Avoid eyestrain and fatigue
The jury is still out on the long-term effects of eyestrain from staring at a computer monitor all day. However, the short-term effects of eyestrain are undeniable: eye pain, watering, blurry or double vision, and headaches.
To reduce eyestrain while working on the computer, remember to:
Reduce glare by using a glare filter or changing the monitor's angle away from a direct light source.
Avoid sitting too close to the monitor, as looking at something closely strains the eyes more.
Set the background lighting so it's no more than 10 times brighter than the screen; this contrast problem, often caused by a relatively dark screen in a bright room, is a frequently overlooked cause of eyestrain.
Frequently rest the muscles of your eyes by focusing on a distant object; a good rule of thumb is the "20/20/20" rule: every 20 minutes, look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
4. Wear safety goggles
In addition to diseases, eye injury is also a major cause of blindness or vision impairment. Indeed, more than 1 million people (nearly 800,000 of which are men) suffer from eye injuries every year in the United States. Sadly, 90% of these could have been prevented if they had been wearing safety goggles.
Remember to wear protective eyewear when:
Working with household or cleaning chemicals, as many are very corrosive and can permanently destroy the surface of your eyes.
In the workshop or when working on home-improvement projects, to avoid dust and flying fragments.
Using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, as these tools can accidentally pick up rocks and stones.
Working on a car, as battery acid, sparks and debris from improperly jump-started car batteries can damage your eyes.
Playing sports, especially those played with small, fast balls (like racquetball) that can really hurt your eyes.
Also be careful with fireworks -- every year, there are about 8,500 fireworks-related injuries. In 2,000 of these cases, the injuries are to the eyes. About 1 in 20 victims loses all vision or requires removal of the injured eye.
5. Exercise, eat well & take herbs for vision
No, eating a lot of carrots will not necessarily improve your vision, but getting essential vitamins and minerals may be vital for good vision. Be sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins A, E and C, as well as zinc, copper, selenium, and antioxidants.
Exercising can also help by lowering blood pressure (and therefore reducing arterial pressure in the eye that can lead to retinal damage), especially for men with glaucoma and diabetes.
Lastly, consider taking herbs for eye and vision health, such as bilberry, zeaxanthin and lycopene found in Anchor Health's Eye Factors. Bilberry can help protect and strengthen the capillary walls of the eyes, and therefore protect against glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. It may also help improve night vision and recovery time from glare.
Zeaxanthin, a major component of the macular pigment, is believed to help protect the eye from UV rays. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes and red fruits, and is a potent antioxidant.
Keep Your Eye On Vision
Taking good care of your eyes is important and not that hard to do. However, it's all up to you -- schedule a regular eye exam, and wear sunglasses when outdoors and protective eyewear when necessary. By following these simple steps, you can make sure that you see and keep seeing clearly.
In the United States, there are 300,000 men who are blind and 1.1 million men with impaired vision. If you consider the whole world, these numbers are significantly larger: approximately 25 million men are blind and 83 million men have vision impairment.
Let's review five things you can do for good vision health.
1. Be aware of eye diseases and get regular eye exams
Most serious vision problems are caused by eye diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and cataract.
In age-related macular degeneration, hardening of arteries in the eye cuts off oxygen and nutrient supply, resulting in damage to the central retina. This disease causes 54% of all blindness in the United States.
Glaucoma is a disease that causes damage to the optic nerve that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. Because vision impairment is not apparent until a large amount of the nerve is damaged, half of the people with glaucoma don't even know that they have the disease until it's too late.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. In this disease, the blood vessels of the retina become blocked and damaged. Nearly half of all diabetics will develop some degree of this eye condition.
Cataract is the clouding of the eye's lens and is the leading cause of low vision among Americans.
Because early detection and treatment can make the difference between seeing and blindness, getting a regular eye exam is essential. As there are specific risk factors for the diseases above, those who are over the age of 65 or have diabetes, as well as African Americans over the age of 40, should get annual eye exams. An eye doctor can detect problems before you even have any noticeable signs of vision impairment.
2. Wear sunglasses
We all know that wearing sunscreen is good for our skin, but a lot of men forget that their eyes need protection as well. You don't have to look directly at the sun to suffer from eye damage. The sun's ultraviolet or UV rays can be reflected off snow, sand, pavement, and water.
These UV rays can increase your risk of developing cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, and can even cause sunburn of the cornea in a condition called photokeratitis. This condition can lead to temporary blindness.
Make wearing sunglasses when outdoors a habit, but don't assume that if your sunglasses are dark tinted, they're okay. Make sure that your sunglasses provide 100% protection from UV rays.
3. Avoid eyestrain and fatigue
The jury is still out on the long-term effects of eyestrain from staring at a computer monitor all day. However, the short-term effects of eyestrain are undeniable: eye pain, watering, blurry or double vision, and headaches.
To reduce eyestrain while working on the computer, remember to:
Reduce glare by using a glare filter or changing the monitor's angle away from a direct light source.
Avoid sitting too close to the monitor, as looking at something closely strains the eyes more.
Set the background lighting so it's no more than 10 times brighter than the screen; this contrast problem, often caused by a relatively dark screen in a bright room, is a frequently overlooked cause of eyestrain.
Frequently rest the muscles of your eyes by focusing on a distant object; a good rule of thumb is the "20/20/20" rule: every 20 minutes, look at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.
4. Wear safety goggles
In addition to diseases, eye injury is also a major cause of blindness or vision impairment. Indeed, more than 1 million people (nearly 800,000 of which are men) suffer from eye injuries every year in the United States. Sadly, 90% of these could have been prevented if they had been wearing safety goggles.
Remember to wear protective eyewear when:
Working with household or cleaning chemicals, as many are very corrosive and can permanently destroy the surface of your eyes.
In the workshop or when working on home-improvement projects, to avoid dust and flying fragments.
Using a lawnmower, power trimmer or edger, as these tools can accidentally pick up rocks and stones.
Working on a car, as battery acid, sparks and debris from improperly jump-started car batteries can damage your eyes.
Playing sports, especially those played with small, fast balls (like racquetball) that can really hurt your eyes.
Also be careful with fireworks -- every year, there are about 8,500 fireworks-related injuries. In 2,000 of these cases, the injuries are to the eyes. About 1 in 20 victims loses all vision or requires removal of the injured eye.
5. Exercise, eat well & take herbs for vision
No, eating a lot of carrots will not necessarily improve your vision, but getting essential vitamins and minerals may be vital for good vision. Be sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins A, E and C, as well as zinc, copper, selenium, and antioxidants.
Exercising can also help by lowering blood pressure (and therefore reducing arterial pressure in the eye that can lead to retinal damage), especially for men with glaucoma and diabetes.
Lastly, consider taking herbs for eye and vision health, such as bilberry, zeaxanthin and lycopene found in Anchor Health's Eye Factors. Bilberry can help protect and strengthen the capillary walls of the eyes, and therefore protect against glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. It may also help improve night vision and recovery time from glare.
Zeaxanthin, a major component of the macular pigment, is believed to help protect the eye from UV rays. Lycopene is a carotenoid found in tomatoes and red fruits, and is a potent antioxidant.
Keep Your Eye On Vision
Taking good care of your eyes is important and not that hard to do. However, it's all up to you -- schedule a regular eye exam, and wear sunglasses when outdoors and protective eyewear when necessary. By following these simple steps, you can make sure that you see and keep seeing clearly.
Monday, February 8, 2010
DHA and eye health: Study supports omega-3 in formula
DHA and eye health: Study supports omega-3 in formula
By Stephen Daniells, 08-Feb-2010
Related topics: Omega-3, Research, Nutritional lipids and oils, Eye health, Maternal & infant health
Adding the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to infant formula may improve the visual acuity of the infants, says a new clinical trial from the US.
Doses of 0.32 and 0.64 per cent DHA led to improvements in eye health of infants, compared to infants fed non-supplemented formula, according to new results published in the prestigious American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
“The [DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development] (DIAMOND) is the first double-masked, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, prospective, dose-response study of DHA in term infant formula,” wrote the researchers, led by Eileen Birch from the Texas-based Retina Foundation of the Southwest.
Infant formula is a highly emotive area, with watchdogs keeping a close eye on companies' marketing tactics lest they drift towards promoting their products as preferable to breast-feeding.
While it is agreed that breastfeeding is the best way to ensure an infant receives the nutrients it needs in its first months, formulas are indispensable in cases where mothers are unable to feed their children - be it for health or logistical reasons. Mothers' desire to give their children the best possible start in life means that there is scope for fortification.
European support
The study follows hot on the heels of, and vindicates, backing from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for DHA-related brain and eye health claims for infants.
EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) said DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) levels of 100mg of per day were appropriate for 7-24 month-old infants along with 200mg per day for pregnant and lactating women.
The DHA claims relating to eye health stated: “DHA intake can contribute to normal development of the eye of the foetus, infant and young children”, and “DHA intake can contribute to the visual development of the infant”.
Study details
Birch and her co-workers enrolled 244 healthy formula-fed infants between one and nine days of age, and born in Kansas and Dallas. The infants were randomly assigned them to one of four groups. The study was funded by Mead Johnson Nutrition and used the company’s Enfamil with Iron as the control formula, and Enfamil LIPIL fortified with 0.32 per cent DHA, or with 0.64, and 0.96 per cent DHA (Martek Biosciences). The DHA-supplemented formulas also contained 0.64 per cent arachidonic acid (ARA).
When the infants reached 12 months of age, measures of the clarity of the infants’ vision showed that those fed the DHA-supplemented formula had significantly better vision than infants fed the control formula.
There was no difference between the three DHA doses, however. Importantly, there were differences in the incidence of adverse events between any of the groups, added the researchers.
“Our data speak directly to the safety and tolerance profiles of DHA levels as high as 0.96% of fatty acids in infant formula,” report the researchers. “The safety and tolerance of these higher DHA concentrations was expected, because they are within the range of DHA concentrations found in human milk worldwide.”
“Whether differences in long-term outcomes will be observed between control and supplemented formula groups and whether they follow a similar dose-response function as the primary 12-mo outcome remains to be determined,” they concluded.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28557
“The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexaenoic acid”
Authors: E.E. Birch, S.E. Carlson, D.R. Hoffman, K.M. Fitzgerald-Gustafson, V.L.N. Fu, J.R. Drover, Y.S. Castaneda, L. Minns, D.K.H. Wheaton, D. Mundy, J. Marunycz, D.A. Diersen-Schade
By Stephen Daniells, 08-Feb-2010
Related topics: Omega-3, Research, Nutritional lipids and oils, Eye health, Maternal & infant health
Adding the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to infant formula may improve the visual acuity of the infants, says a new clinical trial from the US.
Doses of 0.32 and 0.64 per cent DHA led to improvements in eye health of infants, compared to infants fed non-supplemented formula, according to new results published in the prestigious American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
“The [DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development] (DIAMOND) is the first double-masked, randomized, controlled, parallel-group, prospective, dose-response study of DHA in term infant formula,” wrote the researchers, led by Eileen Birch from the Texas-based Retina Foundation of the Southwest.
Infant formula is a highly emotive area, with watchdogs keeping a close eye on companies' marketing tactics lest they drift towards promoting their products as preferable to breast-feeding.
While it is agreed that breastfeeding is the best way to ensure an infant receives the nutrients it needs in its first months, formulas are indispensable in cases where mothers are unable to feed their children - be it for health or logistical reasons. Mothers' desire to give their children the best possible start in life means that there is scope for fortification.
European support
The study follows hot on the heels of, and vindicates, backing from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for DHA-related brain and eye health claims for infants.
EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) said DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) levels of 100mg of per day were appropriate for 7-24 month-old infants along with 200mg per day for pregnant and lactating women.
The DHA claims relating to eye health stated: “DHA intake can contribute to normal development of the eye of the foetus, infant and young children”, and “DHA intake can contribute to the visual development of the infant”.
Study details
Birch and her co-workers enrolled 244 healthy formula-fed infants between one and nine days of age, and born in Kansas and Dallas. The infants were randomly assigned them to one of four groups. The study was funded by Mead Johnson Nutrition and used the company’s Enfamil with Iron as the control formula, and Enfamil LIPIL fortified with 0.32 per cent DHA, or with 0.64, and 0.96 per cent DHA (Martek Biosciences). The DHA-supplemented formulas also contained 0.64 per cent arachidonic acid (ARA).
When the infants reached 12 months of age, measures of the clarity of the infants’ vision showed that those fed the DHA-supplemented formula had significantly better vision than infants fed the control formula.
There was no difference between the three DHA doses, however. Importantly, there were differences in the incidence of adverse events between any of the groups, added the researchers.
“Our data speak directly to the safety and tolerance profiles of DHA levels as high as 0.96% of fatty acids in infant formula,” report the researchers. “The safety and tolerance of these higher DHA concentrations was expected, because they are within the range of DHA concentrations found in human milk worldwide.”
“Whether differences in long-term outcomes will be observed between control and supplemented formula groups and whether they follow a similar dose-response function as the primary 12-mo outcome remains to be determined,” they concluded.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2009.28557
“The DIAMOND (DHA Intake And Measurement Of Neural Development) Study: a double-masked, randomized controlled clinical trial of the maturation of infant visual acuity as a function of the dietary level of docosahexaenoic acid”
Authors: E.E. Birch, S.E. Carlson, D.R. Hoffman, K.M. Fitzgerald-Gustafson, V.L.N. Fu, J.R. Drover, Y.S. Castaneda, L. Minns, D.K.H. Wheaton, D. Mundy, J. Marunycz, D.A. Diersen-Schade
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
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