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Eyecare Related Articles
New Study on Soft Lenses and Myopia Progression
Results of a three-year study presented at the recent annual meeting of the Association for Research and Vision in Ophthalmology (ARVO) indicate that soft contact lens wear does not accelerate the development of nearsightedness in children. The multi-site wearing trial study tracked the myopic progression of 484 children ages 8 to 11 randomly assigned to wear glasses or contact lenses. Researchers found no clinically meaningful difference between the two forms of vision correction for myopia.
The new research further dispels the myth that soft contact lens wear increases myopia correction more than other vision correction options do.
The ACHIEVE Study was supported by funding from Vistakon.
"This topic is been the focus of much debate in recent years. It has been believed that hard contact lenses (rigid gas permeable) offered an advantage over soft lenses by stabilizing the progression of myopia (near sightedness). It has further been suggested that CRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) further stabilizes the progression of myopia, compared to all other forms of correction (glasses, contact lenses). While the jury is still out on the last two statements, this study does provide evidence that soft lenses do not promote an increase in refractive errors. Given their many other advantages, we feel that soft contact lenses remain a viable and safe method of vision correction for our young patients."
Bruce A. Bridgewater, OD
Encore Vision Centers
*Article from Contact Lens Spectrum June 2008
Eyes Over 40: Baby Boomers, Presbyopia & Vision Changes
If you are among the 78 million Baby Boomers in the United States (born between 1946 and 1964), you've probably noticed your eyes have changed. Most notably, presbyopia-the normal, age-related loss of near focusing ability-usually becomes a problem in our 40s, requiring new vision correction solutions. Learn about measures you can take to keep seeing clearly for years to come.
Presbyopia Symptoms and Signs
When people develop presbyopia, they find they need to hold books, magazines, newspapers, menus and other reading materials at arm's length in order to focus properly. When they perform near work, such as embroidery or handwriting, they may have headaches or eyestrain or feel fatigued.
What Causes Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is caused by an age-related process. This is different from astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness, which are related to the shape of the eyeball and caused by genetic factors, disease or trauma. Presbyopia is generally believed to stem from a gradual loss of flexibility in the natural lens inside your eye.
The eye's lens stiffens with age, so it is less able to focus when you view something up close. The result is blurred near vision. (Illustration: Varilux)
These age-related changes occur within the proteins in the lens, making the lens harder and less elastic with the years. Age-related changes also take place in the muscle fibers surrounding the lens. With less elasticity, the eye has a harder time focusing up close. Other, less popular theories exist as well.
Presbyopia Treatment: Eyewear
Eyeglasses with bifocal or progressive addition lenses (PALs) are the most common correction for presbyopia. Bifocal means two points of focus: the main part of the spectacle lens contains a prescription for nearsightedness or farsightedness, while the lower portion of the lens holds the stronger near prescription for close work.
Progressive addition lenses are similar to bifocal lenses, but they offer a more gradual visual transition between the two prescriptions, with no visible lines between them.
Reading glasses are another choice. Unlike bifocals and PALs, which most people wear all day, reading glasses are typically worn just during close work. If you wear contact lenses, your eye doctor can prescribe reading glasses that you wear while your contacts are in. You may purchase readers over-the-counter at a retail store, or you can get higher-quality versions prescribed by your eyecare practitioner.
There are contact lenses for presbyopes, called multifocal contact lenses. You can obtain multifocal contact lenses in gas permeable or soft lens materials. Another type of contact lens correction for presbyopia is monovision, in which one eye wears a distance prescription, and the other wears a prescription for near vision. The brain learns to favor one eye or the other for different tasks. But while some people are delighted with this solution, others complain of dizziness or nausea or miss the depth perception they once had.
Because the human lens continues to change as you grow older, your presbyopic prescription will increase over time as well. You can expect your eyecare practitioner to prescribe a stronger correction for near work as you need it.
*Article from allaboutvision.com
A Toast to Wine and Your Ocular Health
Compounds found in red wine may decrease your chances of developing cataracts, AMD and several other ocular conditions.
Paul M. Karpecki, O.D.
Over the last few decades, there has been much discussion about the systemic health benefits of drinking red wine in moderation (about one to two glasses a day). The "French paradox" has always perplexed us in the United States-how could a population with a diet so rich in heavy creams and meats outlive Americans by an average of 10 years?1,2 Researchers believe that the regular consumption of red wine allows the French to counterbalance their rather fatty diets and live healthier lives.3 But, could it also be possible that their incidence of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may be lower due to wine consumption?
*Article from Review of Optometry February 15 2008 issue
*For the complete article go to revoptom.com and search "red wine".
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