Dr. Grossman’s Blog

Image via CDC.gov

Glaucoma tends to affect some racial groups more than others.  In the US, African Americans are more than twice as likely to develop the disease than non-Hispanic whites.  It has also been known for some time that Latinos have an elevated risk of glaucoma as well.

A new study published in the journal Ophthalmology shows that Asian Americans also run a higher risk of developing glaucoma than their white American counterparts.  Asian Americans have about a 6.5% chance of getting glaucoma.

The report also offered some specific details by ethnic group as well.  People of Japanese decent are 10 times more likely to develop normal-tension glaucoma (when the intraocular pressure is not elevated; IOP has generally been considered the telltale sign of glaucoma, but you can have the disease without having elevated eye pressure.  Source: Medical News Today

For further information on who is at risk for glaucoma, visit our website.

Image via www.nei.nih.gov

Prevent Blindness America reminds us that women are more likely to suffer from dry eye syndrome than men.

Their organization has designated April as Women’s Eye Health and Safety Awareness month.  They quote Lynn K Gordon, MD, PhD, president of the national organization, Women in Ophthalmology, ““Not only do more women have Dry Eye, they are also more likely to develop eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma.  And, because of increased longevity, women are more likely to develop macular degeneration. It is imperative that women of every age make an appointment with their eye doctor as soon as possible to ensure that they are protecting their vision for the future.”  Source: Prevent Blindness America

So, what can a woman (or a man) who wants to prevent dry eyes do?

• Make sure to eat lots of green leafy vegetables.
• Avoid sugar and/or artificial sweeteners: Consumption of more than 3 2/3 tablespoons of sugar a day has been linked to dry eye syndrome (one can of soda has abpit 3 tablespoons of sugar). Sugar is included in most processed and refined foods including cereals, ketchup,and other condiments, and salad dressings.
• Avoid toxic fats found in commercial red meat, dairy products, fried foods, and hydrogenated oils (such as margarine and shortening). These fats interfere with the proper metabolism of essential fatty acids in the body and are indirect causes of dry eye syndrome. Eat organic products whenever possible.
• Limit coffee and stop smoking.
• Avoid hydrogenated and transfatty acid containing foods
• Drink 8-10 glasses of water a day.
• Avoid any foods to which you may be allergic.
• Supplement your diet with a good multivitamin and/or an organic green drink daily.

For more on what helped our clients deal with dry eye syndrome, please take a look at this page.