Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Australian scientists may have made a discovery that could lead to the development of better tests to detect eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.  Research published in  the Journal of Vision suggests that color sensing cells in retina, which were previously believed to be able to only respond to specific colors, can also detect black and white moving objects as well.  According to lead researcher Paul Martin: “For a long time we’ve had an image of the brain as a kind of computer, with particular pathways or ‘wires’ for particular nerve signals.  Now, it is becoming clear the wiring is a lot less precise than a computer.”

What might this mean for you when its time to be screened for eye disease?  Discoveries like this one help scientists better understand how cells in the eyes respond to stimuli, and the more they know about how the eye works, the more able they are to improve eye testing procedures and technologies.

Source: ABC Science

Measuring serum lycopene levels may help doctors diagnose and evaluate patients with diabetic retinopathy.

A recent study finds that lycopene levels were significantly lower in individuals with diabetes. According to the study, “subjects with proliferative diabetic retinopathy had significantly lower lycopene levels than subjects without diabetic retinopathy or with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.”

This study and others have found that oxidative stress is related to the  development of microvascular complications (conditions related to diabetes including include diabetic nephropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy)  in patients with diabetes.  Lycopene has been found to play a role in the prevention of oxidative stress-related disease.

Lycopene is found in its high levels in tomatoes, but apricots, guava, watermelon, papaya, and pink grapefruit are also significant sources.

For more on diabetic retinopathy, please visit our website: http://www.naturaleyecare.com/diseases.asp?d_num=4

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently announced that it has approved new technology that could help improve vision to people age 75 or older with end-stage, age-related macular degeneration.

The Implantable Miniature Telescope (IMT) just approved by the FDA is a first-of-its kind device, according to the manufacturer, VisionCare Ophthalmic Technologies.

To learn more, see the company’s on-line patient information booklet at www.centrasight.com

Editor’s Notes: For dietary and nutritional recommendations for those with AMD or those at risk, Click Here

Those who use computers heavily are at greater risk for glaucoma than the general public, particularly those who are short-sighted. Glaucoma is an insidious disease characterized by the decrease of peripherial vision eventually leading to severe vision loss.

A 2004 cross-sectional study in 9124 Japanese workers indicated that there was a possible association between heavy computer users and glaucomatous visual field abnormalities. In other words – people who computers heavily (ie. programmers, software engineers, gamers) could be jeopardizing their sight.

The study looked at typical daily computer use, as well as long-term computer use history. More than 500 participants (5.4%) had problems with peripheral vision. Of that group, one third were found to have glaucoma … perhaps more than a third, since some workers with peripheral vision problems didn’t receive all the testing to accurately diagnose glaucoma.

Still, it may not be necessary to quit your day job or to give up your favorite hobby.  Glaucoma can be prevented.  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.

MicroCurrent Stimulation (MCS) is an enhanced adaptation of a FDA approved therapy used by anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, plastic surgeons and rehabilitative specialists to promote the healing of wounds and transplanted tissues as well as to treat pain.

The theory is that MCS helps

1. re-stimulate and energize dormant retinal cells (cells are like batteries — when they run low in energy, they become sluggish and dormant),
2. boost the cells’ ability to rid themselves of waste products which interferes with the flow of energy, nutrients and communication,
3. increase blood supply to the area stimulated. By increasing blood flow to the area, cells and tissues still living can get nourished and refreshed.

Research suggests that microcurrent electrical stimulation device approximates the level of electrical activity present in a healthy eye, resulting in stimulating retinal activity and energizing dormant cells, as well as improving microvascular circulation, nerve conduction and velocity.

Microcurrent stimulation increases ATP (energy) synthesis in the retinal cells needed for membrane viability and waste management (a major concern for those with dry macular degeneration as excess waste not reabsorbed and eliminated results in waste accumulation called “drusen”).

Macular Degeneration and Retinitis Pigmentosa are treated with very precise amounts of tightly controlled electrical current through electrodes applied to the skin at specific areas around the eye. The electrical current is used to stimulate the retina as well as the diseased macula in order to help protect sight. The procedure is safe, noninvasive, and painless and no side effects or adverse reactions have been observed.

For more about MicroCurrent Stimulation, click here.

Keratoconus is the bulging of the cornea, a condition that occurs in approximately 100,000 – 150,000 people in the United States. Symptoms include visual distortion with and without eyeglasses and problems wearing standard contact lenses do not fit well.

Approximately 40-50 percent of Keratoconus patients have allergies. Allergies may contribute to the problem, but this is not confirmed in any studies. Magnesium deficiencies, which can cause a thinning of elastic membranes like the cornea, are linked to Keratoconus. Factors contributing to magnesium deficiency includes alcoholism, pregnancy, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, consumption of diuretics and stress. Low magnesium can cause a thinning of elastic membranes such as the cornea.

Conventional treatment indicates the use of gas permeable contact lenses (one needs to see a specialist that fits contacts for Keratoconus or, if severe, corneal transplant.

Our natural approach to eye disease treatment and prevention indicates that those suffering from keratoconus should consider taking recommended supplements and making proper life style changes that will improve overall health, and, by extension, vision health. These steps include: limiting the consumption of saturated fats, greasy fried foods, refined sugars and carbohydrates, artificial sweeteners (saccharine and aspartame); daily exercise; maintaining emotional health; limit caffeine and alcohol consumption; wear 100% UVA and UVB protecting wraparound sunglasses with a brimmed hat when you are outside.

To learn more about keratoconus and other eye disease, click here.

Researchers have found a link between diabetic retinopathy and dry eye syndrome.  More than 50% of type 2 diabetes patients enrolled in a study at Yazd Diabetes Research Center exhibited dry eye symptoms in addition to their main complaint of diabetic retinopathy.  Study authors acknowledge a connection between the conditions, but state that further research is necessary to establish a causal relationship between the two.  They do state that “examination for dry eye should be an integral part of the assessment of diabetic eye disease.”

SOURCE: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579813

For more information on preventing and treating both diabetic retinopathy and dry eyes, please visit our website.

A recent study out of the Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences at the University of Toronto New indicates that glaucoma patients can reduce intraocular pressure by sleeping with their head elevated at a 30-degree angle as opposed to sleeping with their heads flat on a mattress.  Study participants exhibited no differences in blood pressure or ocular perfusion pressure between the two positions. (Published in Ophthalmology 2010 Feb 24.)

Technically, glaucoma is due to damage to the optic nerve, sometimes as a result of increased pressure of the aqueous humor, the clear, watery fluid that circulates in the chamber of the eye between the cornea and the lens. But the term glaucoma is now defined as a collection of diseases that causes optic nerve damage. As a result, the diagnosis is no longer solely based on whether a person’s intraocular pressure (IOL) is elevated or not.

For more about glaucoma causes, symptoms, and remedies, please visit our website.

Retinitis Pigmentosa (pigmentosis) is a progressive degenerative disorder of the retina that can cause a profound loss of vision. The typical symptoms include decreased night vision and peripheral vision, usually starting in the first or second decade of life.

A 2006 study found that high doses of antioxidants (vitamins E, C, alpha lipoic acid others) significantly reduced oxidative damage in cones, increased cone cell density and preserved cone function. These results, according to the Johns Hopkins authors, suggest that the gradual cone death that occurs after rod cells die is due to oxidative damage, and that antioxidants could provide benefit those suffering from Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Learn more about antioxidants here.

Patients with the neurodegenerative disease referred to as Parkinson’s are often proscribed the drug amantadine to alleviate motor problems.    Amantadine treatment causes abnormal changes in the cornea in some Parkinson’s patients. Generally, these corneal reactions occur soon after starting the drug and disappear a few weeks after they stop taking. Occasionally, these issues arise after patients have been taking the drug for many years, and, in these cases, patients often do not recover even when amantadine is stopped.

A new study has been aimed at discovering  whether the effect of amandatine on corneal endothelial cells is dependent on the cumulative dose received. In a comparison study researchers found that patients with the highest cumulative amandatine intake and/or longest duration of treatment (up to 8 years) had the most significant reductions in endothelial cell density (ECD). Endothelial cells work to keep excess water out of the main body of the cornea. When there are too few endothelial cells, corneal edema (swelling) results and vision is impaired.

Study leader, Dr. Won Ryang Wee says: “Assuming other studies confirm these results, ophthalmologists and neurologists should consider evaluating a patient’s corneal endothelium at the beginning of treatment with amandatine and reassess at regular intervals if the drug is used long term, and additional monitoring would be needed for patients with other conditions that reduce ECD–such as recent cataract surgery or ongoing glaucoma, uveitis or Fuch’s dystrophy–because corneal edema could develop during treatment.”

Source: http://www.elements4health.com/long-term-parkinsons-drug-treatment-could-cause-vision-impairment.html