Best-Eye-Vitamin.Com Ocular Health News Blog

Can the Retina Heal Itself?

2008-11-26T06:15:00.011-05:00

For the first time ever, scientists have regrown cells in live mammals.

OK, the mammals were mice, but if you believe the results, this is a real breakthrough.

In macular degeneration and many other age related diseases, it is assumed that treatment must either be aimed at preventing or aggressively treating the disease. No one assumed that the patient could heal himself or herself.

Lining the inside of the eyeball, the retina converts light into nerve impulses to the brain. "This type of cell exists in all the retinas of all vertebrates," said Tom Reh of the University of Washington, "so the cellular source for regeneration is present in the human retina."

Reh suggested that further research might lead to new treatments for human vision loss from retina-damaging diseases, such as macular degeneration. The research will be detailed the last week of November 2008 in the Early Edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

The researchers injected a substance into the retina to eliminate both ganglion cells and amacrine cells. Then by injecting the eye with growth factors and insulin, they were able to stimulate the Müller glia cells to start dividing and begin to proliferate across the retina.

Now keep in mind that it is not rods and cones (the sensory cells) or retinal pigment epithelial cells (the cells that provide nourishment to the retina) that were able to replicate.

Nevertheless, it is new and exciting news.

Too much sun and too few antioxidants associated with macular degeneration

2008-10-16T06:28:00.004-04:00

The October 2008 issue of Archives of Ophthalmology published a study by Astrid Fletcher, graham Bentham and others entitled, Sunlight Exposure, Antioxidants, and Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

The authors looked at 4753 individuals, approximately half of whom had macular degeneration and half with healthy eyes, they discovered that significant associations were found in between blue light exposure and neovascular age-related macular degeneration in those people that had the lowest levels of the antioxidants Vitamin C, Zeaxanthin, Vitamin E and dietary Zinc. In addition, a similar relationship was seen for mild macular degeneration in people that were exposed to both blue light and had low levels of Vitamin C, Zeaxanthin and Vitamin E.

The study was a correlative study, meaning that cause and effect and not proven in the same way that a masked, double blind study does. However, the results were statistically meaningful, which lends supporting data for the importance of taking nutritional supplements to reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration, a potentially blinding eye disease.

Prevent Macular Degeneration Vision Loss

2008-08-08T07:03:00.004-04:00

As we grow older there are more threats than ever to our eye health. Vision loss or low vision is more common than ever. Age related macular degeneration or AMD is a leading cause of blindness in people over age 60. There are two forms of AMD, wet and dry. Fortunately there are many preventive macular degeneration treatments and many treatments for macular degeneration disease that may slow its progress. Did you know your vision and eye health is affected by the little things you do or don’t do; things like taking your vitamins? It’s true. When it comes to vision, a vitamin a day really can keep the doctor away.

Studies suggest that taking certain antioxidant supplements and extra zinc may help slow the progression of macular degeneration. While supplementation may not cure night blindness, low vision or a macular hole, it may help slow down age related blindness. If you experience macular degeneration, keep in mind you are really what you eat. If you eat a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins like lutein, bilberry and other vision-promoting nutrients, you may be able to slow the effects of age related macular degeneration. One of the best steps you can take for your health and wellness is to invest in your eye health.

Taking vitamins to improve your eye health is just one step you will take toward improving your long-term quality of life. Remember, you get one set of eyes, so do what you know is best for them.

Vitamins for the Eye

2008-07-07T19:43:00.002-04:00

People today need to be more considerate of the health of their eyes. Stops at the nearest fast food place just because its quick is not always the best option; not only for your health overall, but the health of your eyes is also affected. Most of the time, we do not stop and think about anything other than the calories that are being added to our bodies. The little things such as our vision is greatly affected by what we choose to digest, not just our weight.

So while you are at the store shopping for your groceries, stop and do a little research on the vitamins offered to you. Vitamins A, C, E, B2, and minerals such as zinc and selenium are what you should be looking for when you are comparing one brand with another. As you grow older, you want to prevent such diseases from attacking your eyes, threatening your great sense of vision. Just as hearing is important to you, seeing your children grow or seeing your favorite football team win game after game is probably quite significant to you as well. We take for granted our sense of sight sometimes. Make the change and invest in vitamins for your eyes! It will be nice to see when you are older.

Vitreous Floaters

2008-07-07T19:30:00.004-04:00

Also known as floaters, or eye floaters, vitreous floaters are deposits in the vitreous jelly of the eye. Light passes through your retina and to the back of your eye where it passes again through the vitreous jelly; this allows you to see the objects that you look at. When there is a deposit in the jelly, it creates a sort of shadow on that part of your vision which makes it seem as though you are seeing spots where there shouldn’t be.

Vitreous floaters can vary in shape, size, and amount. You could have only one floater, or you can have many. You may also experience them in only one eye or you can have them in both. It is uncommon to find them in the younger people, and very common in those 50 years and older.

If you are experiencing vitreous floaters, you want to be checked by your eye doctor. They are not dangerous, however, it is your sight we are talking about and to be on the safe side, it is best to have them looked at. The only thing they will cause for you might be a severe annoyance and nothing more than that. There are various ways to get rid of them, but they will go away on their own anyway.

Eye Vitamins

2008-07-07T19:13:00.001-04:00

It can be quite hard to get the most out of the food we put in to our bodies. We are always on the go and moving from one place to the other. Fast food is almost always the resort for those with busy schedules. Most of the time when we consider healthy food, we think of the benefits it has for our weight and our cholesterol. But do we consider other things that mean the most to us, yet are the farthest from our thoughts? Such as our great sense of vision? The vitamins and nutrients we get from the foods that we eat greatly affect our vision, too; not just our weight. That being the case, there are other options available that will help our fight for the health of our vision.

When choosing your daily vitamins, having your vision in mind, the best eye vitamins to have are ones that contain vitamins A, C, E, B2, and minerals such as zinc and selenium. You should spend some time researching the different brands to make sure that you are getting the most out of them for your vision.

Take your time in considering the best vitamins for your eyes. And if you are not sure, then ask your eye doctor for assistance. But remember that the nutrients in the food you eat might not be enough, or exactly what your eyes need. Consider eye vitamins for your vision!

Floaters

2008-07-07T19:12:00.002-04:00

Floaters are just another way to refer to “eye floaters” or “vitreous floaters.” If you are seeing spots or lines in your vision, you may be experiencing floaters. They are little deposits in the vitreous jelly of your eye that disrupt your line of vision. Many people are quite upset by this and are nervous that something is very wrong. In most cases, it is simply floaters in your eye that are no harm or threat to your vision.

Having said that, you need to have them checked anyways just to be on the safe side. There are a small handful of options you can take to get rid of them; however, the best option that many doctors will probably agree with is to just wait until they disappear on their own. They will eventually go away, but it is more of an annoyance to those that have them. They are not painful in any way; they are simply irritating to put up with.

So if you feel like maybe there is a chance you have an eye floater or two, see your eye doctor and have them checked out. Floaters are not harmful to the health of your eye, but to be on the safe side, have them looked at anyway.

Eye Floater Treatment

2008-07-07T19:00:00.001-04:00

If you happen to be experiencing eye floaters, you know how much of a pain it can be. It truly is a nuisance. However, most doctors will tell you that there is no real cure for the eye floaters. They will tell you that it is something you must wait out and let them disappear on their own. There are, however, a few other resources at your disposal.

You can opt for major surgery, if you so choose. It consists of having the entirety of the vitreous gel removed from your eye. However, this procedure is almost always reserved for severe eye diseases. Having this procedure done to treat eye floaters is detrimental in that it could cause an internal infection. There is another procedure that can be done called the Yag Laser disruption. The risk is not as harsh as the surgery; however, one of the probable effects of the laser removal may cause more floaters. And lastly, we still have the wait and see method. They will eventually disappear. Many people slowly get over the annoyance and they go away.

But! There is one more ray of hope. Tear film can actually even out the effects of defocus and help lessen the effects of the symptoms that floaters cause. Most eye drops only last a few minutes and then dissolve away when you blink. These drops are made of three layers. There is an inner mucus layer that holds the tears in the eye. The saltwater layer is in the middle, and on the outside is the outer oily layer that holds the drops there and doesn’t let them dissolve as quickly.

Your options are there. Talk with your doctor about the option that is right for you!

Floaters in the Eye

2008-06-11T15:26:00.001-04:00

Floaters in the eye are caused by liquid deposits in the vitreous jelly of your eye. When the light passes through the retina, the shadows cast from the liquid deposits make it look like those deposits are little floating objects in your vision. They can look like little squiggly lines, an “O” or a “C.” No two floaters will look the same. You may have one in one eye, but not in the other. They are not harmful, but you will want to be checked by your ophthalmologist anyhow. Floaters in the eye usually disappear and they are not painful, just cause an annoyance. There are no medications for it.

So if you are experiencing floaters in the eye, you definitely need to have them checked out, however, they will surely go away eventually. But they will provide a friendly annoyance!

Macular Degeneration Vitamins

2008-06-11T15:12:00.000-04:00

Suffering from macular degeneration, you probably want to try and find the best solution you possibly can. Whether the progression is slow or quick, you still want to limit the effects as much as possible, though the damage is irreversible. The two different types of macular degeneration are wet and dry. Each can be relieved with macular degeneration vitamins, and it is also dependant on whether you are a smoker or not. There are different types of vitamins you would take to help depending on if you are a smoker or not.

Try Visivite i-Defense. It will help in your defense against macular degeneration.

Your Ocular Nutrition

2008-06-09T10:24:00.000-04:00

As we get older, our eyes are more and more vulnerable and susceptible to damage and deteriorating vision. It is crucial that we take the necessary precautions to keep up with the ocular nutrition. Studies have shown that one way you can greatly improve your eye health is by eating the right foods. Foods rich in carotenoids can actually help reduce the risk of developing macular degeneration. You will find carotenoids in leafy green vegetables; spinach, collard greens, and kale.

Also, foods such as broccoli, corn, green peas, romaine lettuce, turnip greens, etc are other sources for ocular nutrition. These foods contain high levels of lutein which helps against cataracts. You may also experience eye fatigue. Blueberries are a great source to help fight against fatigue.

Taking certain vitamins and taking care of your eyes is vital for the future of your vision!

Macular Degeneration

2008-06-09T10:22:00.002-04:00

Might you be suffering from macular degeneration? The symptoms you may be experiencing are dependant on which of the two types of macular degeneration you may have. The two types are wet and dry. For dry macular degeneration, you may feel the need to have exceptionally bright illumination when reading or working and you will probably have a hard time adapting to dimly lit areas. Other symptoms of macular degeneration include having a hard time recognizing faces, and less distinction of detail. As for wet macular degeneration, the symptoms tend to vary slightly. You may notice that objects that normally contain straight edges are curved or that they are smaller or further away than normal. You may also be experiencing hallucinations as well. It is far more common than you probably think, and no, you are not crazy. Seeing odd shapes or patterns, or even distorted faces, is frequent in macular degeneration.

Inside your eye, the macula is in the center of your retina. It is made up of cells called cones and rods that are light-sensitive, and they allow you to see color. The primary blood vessels nourish the cells through a passageway called the retinal pigment epithelium which also carries waste away from the retina to the choroid (the primary blood vessels). When the retinal pigment epithelium starts to deteriorate, it interrupts the removal of waste and creates deposits. Then the light-sensitive cells become damaged and can no longer send normal signals through the optic nerve. Either the wet or dry form of macular degeneration begins to set in.

Treating wet macular degeneration is possible. The progression may be slowed or even stopped depending on the location and extent of abnormal blood vessels. However, what damage has been caused can not be reversed. There are no known procedures or treatments possible for dry macular degeneration. Yet, that does not mean that there you will eventually lose all of you site. The progression is very slow and people who experience it tend to live fairly normal lives.

If you feel that there is a chance that you may be experiencing symptoms associated with macular degeneration, then it is stressed that you see your doctor right away to determine the stage and the damage done.

Are You Experiencing Eye Floaters?

2008-06-09T10:16:00.005-04:00

Might you be seeing floating spots in your vision while looking around? Within the vitreous jelly of your eye are little deposits that cause “eye floaters.” Items in front of your eye focus rays of light on to the retina, which allows you to see. The back part of your eye is made up of a jelly-like substance called vitreous humor, and the light from the retina then passes through it. While you are a child, the vitreous humor is completely clear, however, when you grow older, deposits or liquid pockets may develop within the vitreous humor. Shadows are then cast of these deposits on to the retina which are perceived as eye floaters. Eye floaters shift with your eye when you look around, which makes them seem like they are floating.

Eye floaters my look like dozens of shapes, it always varies. The eye floaters you see may just be one squiggly line, a small, slightly curved line, a “C” or “O” shape, or just a simple spot. Also, you may either see one or it could look like hundreds. These eye floaters usually do not have much color to them, real dark or grey usually. If you happen to be experiencing eye floaters, you will notice no two are the same, provided you are seeing more than one.

Changes within the vitreous jelly can develop in to seeing eye floaters. Normally, alterations occur when you get older. Some liquefaction that may occur, result in pockets or more of liquid vitreous resting in the firmer gel. The boundary between each liquid pocket may seem to you as an eye floater. Eye floaters happen quite frequently to those 50 years and older with the changes of their eyes.

Eye floaters are extremely common and by the time your 70, you more than likely will have experienced them. Generally, they are more annoying than dangerous. However, if you are experiencing eye floaters, it is best to be seen by your ophthalmologist anyway just to be certain that it is not something to worry about. When developments of eye floaters arise, the only real treatment is to just let them fade with time. There really is not a medication to use to resolve them.

If you are experiencing the annoyance of the eye floaters, it is very likely that it is nothing much to worry about. Have them checked out by your eye doctor anyhow, and just wait for them to disappear with time!

Welcome!

2008-04-16T18:40:00.001-04:00

If you are concerned about your eye health, you've come to the right place.

In my blog, I'll not only provide some of the most interesting news about treatment of macular degeneration with vitamin supplements, but also information about cataract surgery, dry eye syndrome, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

I'll not only add the news about the latest scientific breakthroughs about ophthalmology and optometry, but also interesting stories that are published in the lay press.

Please let us know how we can improve our blog.

Thanks for your interest.

Paul L. Krawitz, M.D.
Diplomate of The American Board of Ophthalmology
Fellow of The American Academy of Ophthalmology