Dr. Grossman’s Blog

A recent study published in the journal “Archives of Ophthalmology” showed an inverse link between vitamin C and cataracts. This Indian study was a population-based cross-sectional analytic study measuring the plasma vitamin C levels in 5638 people 60 years of age or older. These people were checked for cataracts and type of cataracts.

Low levels of lutein, zeaxanthin, retinol and vitamin C all showed to be correlated to cataracts. However, low vitamin C levels had by far the strongest association and were also consistent by type of cataract.

Ref: Ophthalmology. 2011;118(10):1958-1965

Editor’s Note: For more related information, go to Cataracts and Nutrition, Diet, Lifestyle

The American Optometric Association has played an active role in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Diabetes Translation (DDT) for over ten years.  Eye docs hanging out with diabetes specialists?  Of course.  Diabetic retinopathy, according to the National Institute of Health, affects “4.2 million—28.5%— of people with diabetes ages 40 years or older … and of these, 655,000—4.4% of those with diabetes—had advanced diabetic retinopathy that could lead to severe vision loss.”

W. Lee Ball, O.D., AOA Associate Director for Quality Improvement gave a presentation entitled “Working Together to Manage Diabetes: Development and Testing of a Comprehensive Checklist.”  Of the medical professionals across several fields who responded to a questionnaire regarding the efficacy of the checklist, 74% said they found it useful in a real-world clinical setting.  Source: News from the AOA

A PDF of the presentation (available at this CDC site) recommends that those interested in diabetes prevention, care and treatment visit: www.yourdiabetesinfo.org, an address that links you to a wealth of diabetes information from the National Diabetes Education Program.

For our unique perspective on holistic approaches to dealing with diabetic retinopathy, visit our website.

Image via http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Optic gliomas (OG) are rare brain tumors that affect one or both optic nerves or the optic chiasm (the spot where the optic nerves cross each other at the front of the brain).  It is very rare that OG should improve spontaneously, but a recent study looked at how a nerve growth factor (NGF) eye drop could help patients experiencing serious sight impairment due to low grade OG.

The study, published in Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, involved one 45 year old woman who suffered from OG and long-standing optic nerve atrophy.  Administration of this NGF eyedrop over 60 days resulted in improved visual function. Her visual acuity increased by more than three lines, but her vision seemed to worsen 60 days post-treatment.

The researchers concluded that nerve growth factor eye drops could help patients suffering from optic glioma.  This study demonstrated no side effects.

Source: Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, February 22, 2011

Image by Paolo

The corneas of people with glaucoma seem to exhibit different qualities than those who do not suffer from this condition.

A study out of Paris shows that corneas affected by glaucoma are more likely to become deformed and have less elasticity than healthy corneas.  A study of almost 500 eyes with and without glaucoma showed that glaucomatous eyes were more likely to have a higher corneal resistance factor (CRF) and lower corneal hysteresis (CH) – both signs of poor corneal biomechanics.  These findings were presented at the French Society of Ophthalmology; Source: PCONSupersite

Learn more about glaucoma.

Researchers at Catalyst for a Cure (CFC) consortium, a division of the Glaucoma Research Foundation, have announced their continuing work in 2011: studying how and why retinal ganglion cells degenerate in people with glaucoma. Retinal ganglion cells are types of neuron located near the inner surface eye’s retina.  They receive visual images from the photoreceptors and transmit the information to the brain.

These CFC researchers are looking at the onset and progression of glaucoma at the level of the cells and molecular pathways.  They have noted that the degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells is related to the loss of connectivity that accompanies glaucoma.  According to the CFC: “These degenerative changes compromise the neuron’s ability to process and transmit visual information well before the neurons actually die.”  The team has determined that the retinal ganglion cells are particularly vulnerable early in the development of glaucoma, “when these cells are more sensitive to metabolic insults and stressors.

Hear what our clients have to say about the efficacy of our natural treatment recommendations for glaucoma.

Image via Frenchbyte

Five or more cups of coffee per day may cause an individual to hallucinate.

A study out of Australia’s La Trobe University looked at the roles that caffeine and stress play on instances of auditory hallucinations.  Participants who were under stress and under the effect of high levels of caffeine listened to white noise and were asked to indicate when they heard Bing Crosby sing “White Christmas.”  Those reporting highest stress and caffeine levels were much more likely to report hearing the song (which was never played) than were those with low stress and caffeine levels.

‘It is apparent that the health risks of excessive caffeine use must be addressed and caution should be raised with regards to the exacerbating use of this stimulant,’ says Professor Simon Crowe.

We caution clients and patients against consuming coffee and other sources of caffeine if they are concerned about eye conditions including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and dry eyes.

Image via jgi.doe.gov

Researchers, specifically a group at Harvard’s Joslin Diabetes Center, are understanding the connection between diabetic retinopathy and proteins present in the eyes.  In a 2007 study, scientists describe how they found a group of proteins that they believe are responsible for causing the leakage from blood vessels that marks diabetic retinopathy.  They found that these proteins were also the cause of swelling in the eyes, a discovery that could have an impact on research related to cerebral swelling caused by head injuries and strokes.  Figuring out the role of proteins in this condition opens up new treatment avenues for both eye diseases and brain injuries and conditions.

This study was unique from previous work that focused on rodents because Joslin scientist developed a unique proteomics mass spectroscopy (a high-speed protein analysis technology) that helped to identify protein abnormalities in the vitreous humor of individuals with and without diabetic retinopathy.  These findings have lead to further investigation of the role that proteins within the eyes play in the formation of disease.

This research was published in Nature Medicine.

Source: Joslin Diabetes Center press release

Image via www.nigms.nih.gov

Glaucoma can be caused or aggrevated by medications that have been prescribed to treat other conditions.

An article in the journal Eye describes how closed-angle glaucoma (also known as acute glaucoma) can be induced by non-steroidal drugs.  One of the groups of medications named in the study are antineoplastics (anti-cancer medications).  Sulfa drugs can also be related to bilateral glaucoma.  Study authors conclude that these incidences of closed angle glaucoma can be prevented if at-risk patients are identified at the outset and steps are taken to prevent this serious side effect.  Source: Eye, (3 June 2011)

Learn more about prescription drugs that can harm the eyes.

At Natural Eye Care, we know that eye conditions are often related to diseases that affect the entire body.  At a conference last year, Clement Trempe, MD reminded colleagues to consider the role of overall inflammation when diagnosing patients with diabetic retinopathy.

According to Dr. Trempe, “Diabetic retinopathy is not an eye disease, but part of a chronic systemic inflammatory disease process that shares the same risk factors and elevated biomarkers associated with coronary vascular and neurodegenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and Alzheimer’s.”

In line with our way of thinking, Dr. Trempe recommended prevention (see our “Prevention Protocol“). The doctor also emphasized the importance of proper diet, lifestyle, and nutrition (see our self-help recommendations and supplement tips).

Source: PCON Supersite March 1, 2010

image via nccam.nih.gov

As we know well at Natural Eye Care, taking care of dry eye syndrome is about more than just using eye drops.  In fact, it may never be about using eye drops.

An article over at PCON Supersite discusses some oral treatments for dry eyes. We recommend that our patients evaluate their diet and lifestyle choices and make some necessary changes as well as take the right dietary supplements.

Not only our eyes, but the entire body need essential fatty acids in the form of omega-6s and omega-3s.  Omega-6s help fight inflammation that can be an underlying cause of dry eyes and omega-3s make it possible for the body to use the fats in omega-6s.

According to the article’s author, Jeffrey Anshel, OD, the Institute of Medicine recommends we take in “four times as many omega-6 fatty acids as omega-3 fatty acids. It is currently estimated that the average American diet maintains a ratio of up to 25:1.”  This overabundance of omega-6s comes from the Western diet’s reliance on vegetable oils containing linoleic acid that are added to processed foods.  What we really need are fats in the form of  omega-6 gamma linolenic acid (GLA).  These can be found in black currant seed oil, borage oil and evening primrose oil, which are much more rarely found in the average American pantry.  A great source for omega-3s is fish oil.

Source originally published: PRIMARY CARE OPTOMETRY NEWS November 1, 2008