Dr. Grossman’s Blog

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What kind of contact lens wearer are you?  Do you follow the rules that your doctor and your lens manufacturer outlines?  Or are you someone who stretches things a bit?

According to the results of surveys analyzed in the journal Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, the majority of lens wearers fail to comply with recommendations related to lens insertion, wear, and care.  The following figures are pulled from two independent online surveys of frequent contact users:

- nearly 50% fail to wash their hands before lens insertion and removal

- 75% do no rub their lenses with disinfecting solution (though many products claim to be “no rub” new research shows that rubbing the contacts before and after wear may be beneficial)

- there was “generally low compliance” when it came to replacing lenses as often as directed

- only 46% dump used solution and fill storage cases with fresh solution when storing lenses; the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention cites this practice as helping to prevent eye infection

- while one third of respondents clean their lens case daily, another 33% admitted they only clean their cases monthly or even less frequently

Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com “Contact Lens Wearers Are Significantly Non-Compliant Before, During, And After Contact Lens Wear, Studies Show”

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People who have diabetes often suffer from cataracts as well; in fact, they are more likely than the general population to develop cataracts.  Diabetics considering cataracts surgery need to consider their increased risk factors before they chose to undergo the procedure.

It is very important that patients’ blood sugar is well-controlled before surgery to increase their post-surgical healing ability.  It is especially important that patients’ inflammation levels are monitored and kept as low as possible during and after surgery.

According to Rupert Menapace, MD, of OSN Supersite, “We need atraumatic surgery to minimize the inflammatory response and avoid induction or exacerbation of diabetic retinopathy and macular edema. Even in uneventful cataract surgery, the risk of developing macular edema is high in diabetic patients, up to 10%.”  Macular edema is swelling of the macula, the small area of the retina responsible for central vision, of which the central 5% of the retina is most critical to vision.

Source: “Cataract surgery with comorbidities requires careful surgical management” at http://www.osnsupersite.com.

A Chinese study finds that there is a relationship between the biomechanical properties of the cornea and the degree to which an individual suffers from myopia.  Amongst their findings, researchers describe how highly myopic subjects were more likely to have decreased corneal hysteresis (CH).  CH is a measure of viscous damping in the corneal tissue.  The figure indicates the “energy absorption capability” of the cornea.

Scientists also notes that severe cases of myopia have been associated with an increased risk of glaucoma.

Source: Eye, (6 May 2011)

Learn more about how to prevent and treat myopia, also known as nearsightedness, at our website.

Photo by Scott Bauer.

A new breakthrough in genetics research has identified the strands of DNA that can responsible for the development of open angle glaucoma.

Australian scientists publishing in Nature Genetics have found two new genetic mutations that can be linked to increased glaucoma risk.  Though the mutation of the gene myocilin is present in only 3% of those who develop the disease, people with the mutation are 3 times more likely to have glaucoma than the general population.

Study authors indicate that this discovery could lead to better screening techniques and earlier detection of the disease often known as the “silent thief” since it progresses and destroys vision without one’s knowledge. Often, when one realizes their sight has been negatively affected by glaucoma the disease is significantly advanced.

Source: ABC Science

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Macular xanthophylls, perhaps better known as lutein and zeaxanthin, are well known for their role as protectors against age related macular degeneration (AMD).

Research at the University of Georgia is also finding that lutein and zeaxanthin supplementation can help people with healthy vision. Taking dietary supplements high in lutein and zeaxanthin will boost one’s  ability to deal with glare and helps people recover more quickly from blinding flash of light.

One more reason to boost your intake of these great little compounds? They have been linked to improved cognitive health in older adults.
Source: http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com

Learn more about how these antioxidants can help support your vision.

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A recent article in the British Journal of Ophthalmology highlights the ways that gene therapies have great potential for helping individuals with eye diseases including retinitis pigmentosa,  Stargardt’s disease,  age-related macular degeneration, uveitis and glaucoma.

The eye is an ideal candidate for trials involving gene therapy because it is easily accessible, highly compartmentalised and immune-privileged (even when an antigen is introduced to the eye it will not trigger and inflammatory immune system response).

For further information on how gene therapies are impacting approaches to various eye conditions, please visit our research pages.

When a person’s pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels it becomes possible to develop diabetes.

Scientists at UCLA are working to make other cells in the body act like pancreatic beta cells in a quest to find exciting new therapies for diabetes.  A study published in Developmental Cell describes how researchers may have determined the process that would allow them to convert cells into becoming those essential pancreatic beta cells.

According to study co-author Dr. Anil Bhushan, “Our work shows that beta cells and related endocrine cells can easily be converted into each other.”

The source for this story, Science Blog, says, “It had long been assumed that the identity of cells was ‘locked’ into place and that they could not be switched into other cell types. But recent studies have shown that some types of cells can be coaxed into changing into others — findings that have intensified interest in understanding the mechanisms that maintain beta cell identity.”

Diabetes leads to the related eye condition, diabetic retinopathy, affects over one quarter of diabetes patients over age 40.  Get answers to the most common questions about diabetic retinopathy at our website.

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Researchers ask so many questions about obscure topics, sometimes it is surprising when some topics are studied for the first time.

A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology claims to be first to have studied how visual impairment impacts the quality of life in children between the ages of 3 and 16.  A trial including 24 children who had impaired vision and 24 who had normal vision, showed that the kids with sight deficiencies scored almost 36% lower on quality of life questionnaires.  Researchers indicated that better accommodations need to be made for children with visual disabilities.  Source: British Journal of Ophthalmology

Binocular conditions, which generally refer to problems that make it difficult for the eyes to work together, can often affect kids’ ability to read, concentrate, an enjoy sports activities.

Specific gene mutations can be the cause of glaucoma, according to Indian researchers. Almost 4% of glaucoma sufferers exhibit gene mutations.  Scientists are identifying the specific mutations found in glaucoma patients in India and across the world; they have developed a database to make the statistical and clinical information and published it in the journal Bioinformations. Since 20% of all glaucoma cases affect Indians and people of Indian decent, this research is of specific interest to this country’s researchers.  Source: The Times of India

Previous research focused on American populations has found that people of African decent and Hispanics are more likely to develop glaucoma than Caucasians.  Learn more about who is most at risk of developing glaucoma.

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The pigments in the macula of the eye are predominantly composed of three carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, and meso-zeaxanthin.

Researchers describe have determined that these pigments, called  xanthophylls, act as both filters and antioxidants and how they protect the eye from the onset of macular degeneration. Evidence suggests that increased levels of macular pigment are related to a decreased risk of age-related macular degeneration. Previous studies reveal that oral supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin can increase the levels of macular pigments in the retina and plasma.

Macular xanthophylls are made of the same compounds that cause egg yolks to be yellow too.  Eating eggs (preferably organic from free-range chickens) can actually help decrease your chances of developing the potentially blinding macular degeneration.  Learn more about how the nutrients in your food can support your eye health and overall health.