According to the Age Related Eye Disease Study made by the U. S. Federal government’s National Eye Institute, the risk of developing advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be reduced by 25% for people who take high levels of antioxidants and zinc. Though the AREDS formulation can not treat AMD, it can help people at high risk of advanced AMD with their remaining vision.
So you may wonder to know what and how many antioxidants and zinc should be taken in daily in order to reduce the possibility for advanced AMD. The following will list out the AREDS formula eye vitamins and their daily amounts: The first one is Vitamin C with daily amount of 500 milligrams; Second is Vitamin E with 400 international units; Third is beta-carotene with the amount of 15 milligrams；Fourth is zinc oxide at the quantity of 80 milligrams; and the last is copper as cupric oxide with the amount of 2 milligrams in order to keep copper deficiency anemia away from us, which is caused by taking in high levels of zinc.
Presently, the National Eye Institute is preparing for its Age Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS) and this study is planed to be finished in June, 2013. They have recruited 4000 participants in their study. The main purposes of this study 2 are as following: First, it is said macular degeneration antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, and omega-3 LCPUFAs (DHA and EPA) have some good effects to treat AMD and cataract. And the study will test their treatment ability for AMD and cataract and check if they can slow down the progression of these two eye diseases. The second purpose is to test what it will be if we don’t have beta-carotene from the ARED formulation and its influence on AMD development and progression. The third purpose is to prove zinc’s effect on treating and reducing the progression of AMD. Nowadays, if we want to prove the photographic AMD scales develops from the Age-related Eye Disease Study, we still need some data supporting, so the last purpose of this study is to offer some data to validate this point.
With these purposes, the National Eye Institute are busying at their researches and studies. It is sincerely hoped that they can prove all these points as soon as possible. At that time, people can have more measures to treat AMD and more and more people can take precautions to this eye disease and keep them far away from AMD.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Introduction on juvenile macular degeneration
For a large number of aging people, they are suffering from juvenile macular degeneration. And a lot of young people also want to know more about juvenile macular degeneration in order to take precaution to this eye disease. However, they don’t have a clear idea or find little information to learn about this. The following will give some introduction on juvenile macular degeneration and the recent researches on this eye disease.
First let us talk about the macula. Macula is a very important part of our eyes. It is in the center of the retina at the back of the eyes. What functions do they have? Actually our detailed and straight ahead vision is both decided by macula. So you can imagine if there is some problem with our macula, what kind of situation it will be. Researches show there are several forms of juvenile macular degeneration that can affect the macula, which finally lead to genetic mutation.
Among all forms of juvenile macular degeneration, vitelliform macular degeneration is the best as it can be regarded as macular dystrophy. Vitelliform macular degeneration is a hereditary eye disease and can be transferred by genes. People can be diagnosed of vitelliform macular degeneration at their childhood or adolescence. Though it is minor disease, there are also several stages for it. There is a layer under the macula, caused retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The first stage is there is a yellow cyst under the RPE, but this can not influence our vision for many years. And the second stage is when the cyst ruptures, and then the RAPE will be flooded by fluid and yellow deposits. The third stage is more serious. Patients will lose their central vision as the fluid and deposits will cause RPE degeneration. However, the peripheral vision still exists.
The most common form of macular degeneration is Stargardt’s disease which was first discovered in 1901 by Karl Stargardt, who is a German ophthalmologist. After that, he did a lot of researches on this disease. And researches show the responsible gene, ABCR may be useful for future gene therapy. But as the clinical trials for different forms of juvenile macular degeneration are few, scientists still do not have enough information and can not prove the better way to treat it. And now there is a assumption that DHA dietary supplement may have some effect in improving macular functions with the ELOVL4 mutation. But scientists still need to do a lot of researches on patients with Stargardt-like macular dystrophy or Stargardt macular dystrophy to prove this assumption.
If you want to know more about vision knowledge, then feel free to visit http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases
Firmoo.com is the fastest growing online community selling affordable yet high quality prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses and other eyewear. Firmoo’s return and refund policy makes your purchase with Firmoo risk-free. Firmoo offers single vision and men’s and women’s bifocal safety glasses (the upper part above the middle line is for seeing far) as well as progressive glasses to fashion- and budget-conscious customers.
First let us talk about the macula. Macula is a very important part of our eyes. It is in the center of the retina at the back of the eyes. What functions do they have? Actually our detailed and straight ahead vision is both decided by macula. So you can imagine if there is some problem with our macula, what kind of situation it will be. Researches show there are several forms of juvenile macular degeneration that can affect the macula, which finally lead to genetic mutation.
Among all forms of juvenile macular degeneration, vitelliform macular degeneration is the best as it can be regarded as macular dystrophy. Vitelliform macular degeneration is a hereditary eye disease and can be transferred by genes. People can be diagnosed of vitelliform macular degeneration at their childhood or adolescence. Though it is minor disease, there are also several stages for it. There is a layer under the macula, caused retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). The first stage is there is a yellow cyst under the RPE, but this can not influence our vision for many years. And the second stage is when the cyst ruptures, and then the RAPE will be flooded by fluid and yellow deposits. The third stage is more serious. Patients will lose their central vision as the fluid and deposits will cause RPE degeneration. However, the peripheral vision still exists.
The most common form of macular degeneration is Stargardt’s disease which was first discovered in 1901 by Karl Stargardt, who is a German ophthalmologist. After that, he did a lot of researches on this disease. And researches show the responsible gene, ABCR may be useful for future gene therapy. But as the clinical trials for different forms of juvenile macular degeneration are few, scientists still do not have enough information and can not prove the better way to treat it. And now there is a assumption that DHA dietary supplement may have some effect in improving macular functions with the ELOVL4 mutation. But scientists still need to do a lot of researches on patients with Stargardt-like macular dystrophy or Stargardt macular dystrophy to prove this assumption.
If you want to know more about vision knowledge, then feel free to visit http://vision.firmoo.com/eye-diseases
Firmoo.com is the fastest growing online community selling affordable yet high quality prescription eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses and other eyewear. Firmoo’s return and refund policy makes your purchase with Firmoo risk-free. Firmoo offers single vision and men’s and women’s bifocal safety glasses (the upper part above the middle line is for seeing far) as well as progressive glasses to fashion- and budget-conscious customers.
What You Should Do When Your Meet With Eye Injuries.
Eyes are extremely sensitive parts of body and an injury to them is not that easy to be treated just with a plaster. In order to treat eye injuries properly, there are several tips for you that you should follow:
Do not rub or touch your eyes. It has been proved that it is very harmful to rub or touch your eyes when they are in bad conditions, especially when you don’t know the exact cause or severity of the injury.
Do not seek for medical care right away. Eye injuries are not suitable for home remedies and do-it-yourself doctoring. The wrong usage of medical will make things worse, even cause complete blindness.
Consider twice to remove the foreign body in your eyes. If the object can be seen floating in the white part of the eye or caught under your eye lids, you can try and remove it lightly with your fingers; but if it is not, you should be cautious. What is more, if you have long nails or unclean fingers, do not try to remove the foreign body in both conditions in case of possible scratches. The most advisable way is to go for an eye doctor.
Never remove anything that seems to be stuck in your pupils, because you might provoke an irreversible injury. No matter what the object is, being splinter or glass objects, and do not try to insert any chemicals before you know what on earth is happening to your eyes. You are suggested to place soft gauze over it and then go to see an eye doctor (find your eye doctors).
Eye injuries occur to one wherever one is. When you are at home, you eyes may be injured by the hot oil spilt from pot; when you are doing sports, your eyes may be injured by ram of your partner. And maybe all those occasions that are not your fault. Therefore, the best way to prevent eyes from eye injuries is to be careful in daily lives.
Do not rub or touch your eyes. It has been proved that it is very harmful to rub or touch your eyes when they are in bad conditions, especially when you don’t know the exact cause or severity of the injury.
Do not seek for medical care right away. Eye injuries are not suitable for home remedies and do-it-yourself doctoring. The wrong usage of medical will make things worse, even cause complete blindness.
Consider twice to remove the foreign body in your eyes. If the object can be seen floating in the white part of the eye or caught under your eye lids, you can try and remove it lightly with your fingers; but if it is not, you should be cautious. What is more, if you have long nails or unclean fingers, do not try to remove the foreign body in both conditions in case of possible scratches. The most advisable way is to go for an eye doctor.
Never remove anything that seems to be stuck in your pupils, because you might provoke an irreversible injury. No matter what the object is, being splinter or glass objects, and do not try to insert any chemicals before you know what on earth is happening to your eyes. You are suggested to place soft gauze over it and then go to see an eye doctor (find your eye doctors).
Eye injuries occur to one wherever one is. When you are at home, you eyes may be injured by the hot oil spilt from pot; when you are doing sports, your eyes may be injured by ram of your partner. And maybe all those occasions that are not your fault. Therefore, the best way to prevent eyes from eye injuries is to be careful in daily lives.
A Simple Method to Relax Eyes
Most people pay more attention to physical exercises, but seldom to eye exercises. In fact, eye exercises are very important for eye health. The reason is muscles are the main parts of eyes and they can be strengthened by exercises. Some investigations have disclosed that many computer users have benefited a lot from eye exercises. If people work in front of computer and watch TV too long, their eyes will be greatly strained. Correspondingly, eye exercises can help eliminate eye fatigue and strain.
Some bad habits can make eye strained and fatigued, such as staring at something too long without blinking. Staring can make people’s nerve tense. People will not think anything whiling doing them. Thus, eye exercises can help reduce such tense. But this process does not mean scanning or looking unconsciously. While doing those exercises, people should sit up-straight comfortably in a quiet environment.
People should exercise their eye muscles at different focusing points. The first step is to look at some objects nearby. Anything that is just in front of them can be the target. Then move the focus to the noses. Repeat this process for about ten minutes. The next step is to look at something much farer, such as a wall in the other room. What people should do then is to imagine they are picturing on the wall. Another step is to look at objects even farer, almost 150feet. During this step, people should look at objects nearby in turn. Repeat this process-look afar and nearby in turn. The last step is to look at object as far as they can see. This can greatly eliminate eye strain, and it is good for computer users.
After that, people should learn to relax themselves mentally. Adjust the sitting position and begin to inhale and exhale deeply in proper frequency. Remember, close eyes while doing this. Several minutes later, open the eyes and look at some targets. Then close the eyes and just picture the target in minds. Repeat this process for different targets.
Some bad habits can make eye strained and fatigued, such as staring at something too long without blinking. Staring can make people’s nerve tense. People will not think anything whiling doing them. Thus, eye exercises can help reduce such tense. But this process does not mean scanning or looking unconsciously. While doing those exercises, people should sit up-straight comfortably in a quiet environment.
People should exercise their eye muscles at different focusing points. The first step is to look at some objects nearby. Anything that is just in front of them can be the target. Then move the focus to the noses. Repeat this process for about ten minutes. The next step is to look at something much farer, such as a wall in the other room. What people should do then is to imagine they are picturing on the wall. Another step is to look at objects even farer, almost 150feet. During this step, people should look at objects nearby in turn. Repeat this process-look afar and nearby in turn. The last step is to look at object as far as they can see. This can greatly eliminate eye strain, and it is good for computer users.
After that, people should learn to relax themselves mentally. Adjust the sitting position and begin to inhale and exhale deeply in proper frequency. Remember, close eyes while doing this. Several minutes later, open the eyes and look at some targets. Then close the eyes and just picture the target in minds. Repeat this process for different targets.
Symptoms of cataract and cataract surgery
Cataract is actually one of the commonest eye diseases around the world. Yet some people do not have clear knowledge about this eye disease even when there are some obvious signs. In an early stage, cataract patients may still be able to read small print, watch television and drive at night. This is just because cataract always develops slowly over time. The vision will thus be gradually affected.
The basic definition of cataract is the clouding on the natural eye lens. This process of cloudiness will go on as the disease progresses. And the severity of cataract can be measured by the degree of the lens clouding. As the cataract develops, more and more activities in daily life will be interfered. Cataract patients may have difficulty in reading small print emails, computer screen and proof-reading manuscripts. What’s more, the eye disease can still make it hard to write and drive at night.
Cataract patients can get detailed information about cataract symptoms from the Mayo Clinic websites. It lists some of the cataract-caused difficulties, such as cooking, shopping, yard work and even stairs. In fact, cataract is bothering many other aspects of a patient’s life. Some of these symptoms are hard to be detected. Those explicit symptoms can be lowered visual contrast, increased glare or side light.
Cataracts are most prevalent in older women. When it reaches an advanced stage, the right solution is cataract surgery. In America alone, there are approximately 1.5 million patients who receive cataract surgery within one year. This surgery has become one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. It is reported that about ninety-nine percent of cataract surgery recipients can see vision improvement.
Symptoms of cataracts can cause much inconvenience in daily life. The truth is that cataract surgery can be performed only when the disease has been in a certain stage. But it is important to tell the doctor when early signs or symptoms can be seen. The doctor can then keep close monitor of the patient’s eyes.
The basic definition of cataract is the clouding on the natural eye lens. This process of cloudiness will go on as the disease progresses. And the severity of cataract can be measured by the degree of the lens clouding. As the cataract develops, more and more activities in daily life will be interfered. Cataract patients may have difficulty in reading small print emails, computer screen and proof-reading manuscripts. What’s more, the eye disease can still make it hard to write and drive at night.
Cataract patients can get detailed information about cataract symptoms from the Mayo Clinic websites. It lists some of the cataract-caused difficulties, such as cooking, shopping, yard work and even stairs. In fact, cataract is bothering many other aspects of a patient’s life. Some of these symptoms are hard to be detected. Those explicit symptoms can be lowered visual contrast, increased glare or side light.
Cataracts are most prevalent in older women. When it reaches an advanced stage, the right solution is cataract surgery. In America alone, there are approximately 1.5 million patients who receive cataract surgery within one year. This surgery has become one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States. It is reported that about ninety-nine percent of cataract surgery recipients can see vision improvement.
Symptoms of cataracts can cause much inconvenience in daily life. The truth is that cataract surgery can be performed only when the disease has been in a certain stage. But it is important to tell the doctor when early signs or symptoms can be seen. The doctor can then keep close monitor of the patient’s eyes.
Steps of applying eye drops
Eye drop is a kind of medical product that most people have heard of. In fact, there are a lot of eye drops for different purposes. Common reasons of using eye drops include pink eye, dry eye after an eye surgery or even simply for eye moisture. Most people would consider that eye moisture is the only function of eye drops. This is not the real case. Some eye drops as medications are used to cure pink eye as well as some other eye infections. In general, eye drops in various types can be prescription or over-the-counter. They are available from both eye doctors and pharmacies.
Regardless of the specific function of any kind of eye drop, a key point is how to apply it. Everybody knows that the eyes are very sensitive that be careful is a necessity. Eye drops in any kind are foreign substances for the eyes. There are detailed steps of applying eye drop. It does not matter which posture the person keeps before applying eye drops: sitting, lying down or standing. But it is necessary to tilt the head backward. And then pull down the lower eyelid to reveal the bottom of the eyeball. With such a gap being created, it is the time to squeeze the eye drop container and allow a drop to fall into the gap.
After that, release the hand and close the eye applied slowly. Never squeeze or rub it or the liquid could be pushed out. Inside the eye now, the eye drop may be soaked into the body. The way to avoid it is pressing the inside corner of the closed eye for a few minutes using the index finger and thumb of one hand. Use soft paper to soak the excess moisture. This process is quite simple but it can fail sometimes. Just apply another drop. But it is unnecessary to waste too many eye drops one time.
Regardless of the specific function of any kind of eye drop, a key point is how to apply it. Everybody knows that the eyes are very sensitive that be careful is a necessity. Eye drops in any kind are foreign substances for the eyes. There are detailed steps of applying eye drop. It does not matter which posture the person keeps before applying eye drops: sitting, lying down or standing. But it is necessary to tilt the head backward. And then pull down the lower eyelid to reveal the bottom of the eyeball. With such a gap being created, it is the time to squeeze the eye drop container and allow a drop to fall into the gap.
After that, release the hand and close the eye applied slowly. Never squeeze or rub it or the liquid could be pushed out. Inside the eye now, the eye drop may be soaked into the body. The way to avoid it is pressing the inside corner of the closed eye for a few minutes using the index finger and thumb of one hand. Use soft paper to soak the excess moisture. This process is quite simple but it can fail sometimes. Just apply another drop. But it is unnecessary to waste too many eye drops one time.
Clinical trial of drugs for AMD
Age related macular degeneration can damage the eyes in an unwanted way. In particular, wet AMD involves abnormal blood vessels growth behind the retina. Such kind of vessel formation and growth leads to blood and fluid leakage. As a result, the macula will be damaged and vision loss occurs. Wet form of AMD progresses more rapidly than dry AMD. Currently, there are some clinical trials of drugs that are potentially used to fight against age related macular degeneration.
One of them is called anti-VEGF clinical trial which is aimed to reduce the abnormal growth of blood vessels associated with wet AMD. In the class of drugs called anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), Avastin is one that had received FDA approval to treat tumors in 2004. Combined with another chemotherapy drug, Avastin is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer in practice.
Now, Avastin is under the clinical trial which seeks its effectiveness in treating wet form of age related macular degeneration. An associated professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute named Dr. Philip J Rosenfeld has conducted a research which showed that Avastin can improve eyesight for AMD patients significantly. According to this research, Avastin could show vision improvement within one week, which was quite exiting compared to other treatments for wet AMD.
In detail, a compounding pharmacy specializing in sterile compounding will help transfer the Avastin from the manufacturer’s vial into prefilled syringes. The reason is that only a very small amount of Avastin is enough for retinal specialists to perform such kind of an injection. This injection can be done in an office setting.
Avastin is also being compared with another treatment for wet macular degeneration called Lucentis. A clinical trial in this field is currently conducted by Emory Eye Center in Atlanta along with 47 other eye institutions.
One of them is called anti-VEGF clinical trial which is aimed to reduce the abnormal growth of blood vessels associated with wet AMD. In the class of drugs called anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), Avastin is one that had received FDA approval to treat tumors in 2004. Combined with another chemotherapy drug, Avastin is used to treat metastatic colorectal cancer in practice.
Now, Avastin is under the clinical trial which seeks its effectiveness in treating wet form of age related macular degeneration. An associated professor of Ophthalmology at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute named Dr. Philip J Rosenfeld has conducted a research which showed that Avastin can improve eyesight for AMD patients significantly. According to this research, Avastin could show vision improvement within one week, which was quite exiting compared to other treatments for wet AMD.
In detail, a compounding pharmacy specializing in sterile compounding will help transfer the Avastin from the manufacturer’s vial into prefilled syringes. The reason is that only a very small amount of Avastin is enough for retinal specialists to perform such kind of an injection. This injection can be done in an office setting.
Avastin is also being compared with another treatment for wet macular degeneration called Lucentis. A clinical trial in this field is currently conducted by Emory Eye Center in Atlanta along with 47 other eye institutions.
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