A study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,and conducted by Dr Alessandro Lambiase and colleagues from the University of Rome, the National Research Council, the Gian Battista Bietti Eye Foundation and the European Brain Research Institute.
Investigations were done on the application of nerve growth factor (NGF) on visual symptoms of glaucoma.NGF are proteins that play a role in the survival of nerve cells. Use of this appears to prevent, and even reverse, glaucoma’s characteristic pressure damage to the eyeballs of both rats and humans. This small study has encouraging findings, with humans experiencing improvements in visual clarity and contrast. Two of the patients showed an improvement in their visual field too. However, with only three subjects the study is too small to draw concrete conclusions.Research like this is usually followed by more investigations on potential new treatments, and only the results of long-term, randomised controlled trials will provide definitive answers about the potential benefits of using NGF eye drops.
More details: www.nhs.uk/news/2009/08August/Pages/GlaucomaEyeDropCure.aspx
Monday, March 8, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
NEWER EYE MEDICATIONS: DIABETIC RETINOPATHY,EYE ALLERGY....
In DIABETES, a journal by the American Diabetes Association the role of Topical Administration of Nepafenac showed Inhibition of Diabetes-Induced Retinal Microvascular Disease and Underlying Abnormalities of Retinal Metabolism and Physiology.Professor Timothy S. Kern noted pharmacologic treatment of diabetic retinopathy via topical Nepafenac, an anti-inflammatory drug known to reach the retina when administered via eyedrops, on the development of early stages of diabetic retinopathy and on metabolic and physiologic abnormalities that contribute to the retinal disease.
Topical antihistamines & decongestants
Eye allergy drugs or Antihistamine eyedrops work by blocking histamine receptors in the conjunctiva. The histamine, therefore, is unable to attach to the conjunctiva and exert its effects. They are effective in relieving itching but have little impact on swelling or redness. They have advantages over antihistamine tablets; there is a faster onset of action and less drying of the eye. The new generation of topical antihistamines includes emedastine difumarate (Emadine) and levocabastine (Livostin). Patanol, a topical mast-cell stabilizer, is a safe, highly effective, long-acting treatment.). Side effects of few combination antihistamine-decongestant preparations are minimal, but the drops may become less effective if used for prolonged periods. They do have a potential for abuse and should not be used by people with narrow-angle glaucoma.
Topical antihistamines & decongestants
Eye allergy drugs or Antihistamine eyedrops work by blocking histamine receptors in the conjunctiva. The histamine, therefore, is unable to attach to the conjunctiva and exert its effects. They are effective in relieving itching but have little impact on swelling or redness. They have advantages over antihistamine tablets; there is a faster onset of action and less drying of the eye. The new generation of topical antihistamines includes emedastine difumarate (Emadine) and levocabastine (Livostin). Patanol, a topical mast-cell stabilizer, is a safe, highly effective, long-acting treatment.). Side effects of few combination antihistamine-decongestant preparations are minimal, but the drops may become less effective if used for prolonged periods. They do have a potential for abuse and should not be used by people with narrow-angle glaucoma.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
EYE PRESSURE OR GLAUCOMA:INDIA'S CHALLENGES AHEAD
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable blindness in India. With a rapidly growing ageing population there will be 16 million patients of glaucoma by 2020.
The World Glaucoma Association has set a goal of reducing the undiagnosed rate of glaucoma from 50% to "No more than 20% by 2020". According to R George (Indian Journal of Opthalmology Vol 56(2),2008)"this goal is attainable if we work together to increase awareness of glaucoma both among the public as well as among healthcare providers. We also need to ensure that quality eye examinations are available and performed by all eye care professionals in the country."
The World Glaucoma Association has set a goal of reducing the undiagnosed rate of glaucoma from 50% to "No more than 20% by 2020". According to R George (Indian Journal of Opthalmology Vol 56(2),2008)"this goal is attainable if we work together to increase awareness of glaucoma both among the public as well as among healthcare providers. We also need to ensure that quality eye examinations are available and performed by all eye care professionals in the country."
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Eye Bags, Puffy Eyes and Dark Circles under your eyes?
Dark Circles under your eyes?Baggy eyes?Puffiness of eyes?.......Most of your friends or colleagues would blame it on a lack of sleep.......not anymore.....
1. The main cause may actually be much more basic : The gravitational pull your skin. The longer you’re exposed to gravity (i.e., the older you get) the more your facial tissues sink toward the floor.
2.The other reason why we have bags under our eyes is the loosening of tissues due to the aging process.The upper and lower eyelids are composed of skin, muscle and fat. With age, the muscles weaken and can’t hold up the skin as tightly. Skin also changes because the collagen, a protein ,inside it degrades. Collagen keeps our skin taut by providing elasticity.Less collagen means wrinking and sagging of skin
3.Fat beneath the skin and muscle can result in under-eye puffiness .Frederic Brandt, M.D., a dermatologist in Miami and New York City mentions "aging causes the fat pad below the eye to thin, producing a sunken appearance.Fluids that get trapped in eye tissue can trigger puffiness, while excess fat in the area can produce a permanent puffy look."
4.Bloating too much alcohol and/or salt can make you retain water everywhere, including around the eyes.Irritants in the air such as pollutants also seem to exacerbate the bags.
5. Bags under the eyes is mainly hereditary.Thyroid, kidney and heart disease and use of some medications makebaggy eyes appear worse.So if your parents puffed up, then you probably will too at around the same age.
TREATMENT?????
1.In most cases resting and sleeping on anelevated pillow is the best you can do !!!
2.Cheap alternatives include folk remedies like cucumber slices and tea bags laid on top of closed eyes. People use them because they think the cooling from the cucumbers or the natural anti-diuretic in caffeinated tea might help.
3.Try eye gel. Gels can temporarily tighten the skin under your eyes,reducing the appearance of bags and fine wrinkles
4.Vitamin E: A natural and effective treatment is to use vitamin E oil and rub the oil overnight around your eyes.
5.Potato: Strain the juice of grated potato and saturate cotton wool pads withit or lay the grated vegetable on the eye between the muslin. Slicesof raw potato may soothe swollen eyelids and reduce swelling andpuffiness.
6.Castor Oil: A drop of perfectly fresh castor oil smeared along the eyelids may help remove puffiness.
7.Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery performed by eye surgeons and plastic surgeons.Dr.Rajesh Parekh, eye surgeon mentions that these days, many people are enhancing their faces with injected collagen and other facial fillers. Fillers work to plump up areas of the face . Restylane is a cosmetic filler that was approved by the FDA in 2003 is being used to treat under eye circles.
1. The main cause may actually be much more basic : The gravitational pull your skin. The longer you’re exposed to gravity (i.e., the older you get) the more your facial tissues sink toward the floor.
2.The other reason why we have bags under our eyes is the loosening of tissues due to the aging process.The upper and lower eyelids are composed of skin, muscle and fat. With age, the muscles weaken and can’t hold up the skin as tightly. Skin also changes because the collagen, a protein ,inside it degrades. Collagen keeps our skin taut by providing elasticity.Less collagen means wrinking and sagging of skin
3.Fat beneath the skin and muscle can result in under-eye puffiness .Frederic Brandt, M.D., a dermatologist in Miami and New York City mentions "aging causes the fat pad below the eye to thin, producing a sunken appearance.Fluids that get trapped in eye tissue can trigger puffiness, while excess fat in the area can produce a permanent puffy look."
4.Bloating too much alcohol and/or salt can make you retain water everywhere, including around the eyes.Irritants in the air such as pollutants also seem to exacerbate the bags.
5. Bags under the eyes is mainly hereditary.Thyroid, kidney and heart disease and use of some medications makebaggy eyes appear worse.So if your parents puffed up, then you probably will too at around the same age.
TREATMENT?????
1.In most cases resting and sleeping on anelevated pillow is the best you can do !!!
2.Cheap alternatives include folk remedies like cucumber slices and tea bags laid on top of closed eyes. People use them because they think the cooling from the cucumbers or the natural anti-diuretic in caffeinated tea might help.
3.Try eye gel. Gels can temporarily tighten the skin under your eyes,reducing the appearance of bags and fine wrinkles
4.Vitamin E: A natural and effective treatment is to use vitamin E oil and rub the oil overnight around your eyes.
5.Potato: Strain the juice of grated potato and saturate cotton wool pads withit or lay the grated vegetable on the eye between the muslin. Slicesof raw potato may soothe swollen eyelids and reduce swelling andpuffiness.
6.Castor Oil: A drop of perfectly fresh castor oil smeared along the eyelids may help remove puffiness.
7.Transconjunctival Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery performed by eye surgeons and plastic surgeons.Dr.Rajesh Parekh, eye surgeon mentions that these days, many people are enhancing their faces with injected collagen and other facial fillers. Fillers work to plump up areas of the face . Restylane is a cosmetic filler that was approved by the FDA in 2003 is being used to treat under eye circles.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Eye Drops:Watch out
The adverse effects of topical steroid administration to the eye are well known.These include glaucoma, cataract, exacerbation of corneal infection, and systemic effects secondary to systemic absorption.Scientific reports have stressed on the potential reactivation or exacerbation of herpes simplex keratitis, together with an increased risk of other infections,steroid induced glaucoma and cataracts following prolonged unsupervised administration of topical steroid eyedrops.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Eye Injuries :Watch your eyes
Exploding carbonated beverage bottles cause serious injuries can cause serious ocular injuries, loss of vision and even loss of eye.
The earliest report in the ophthalmic literature that is devoted to eye injuries from exploding beverage bottles is from Germany by Leydecker.Gupta AK reported cases of such injuries.He suggested a need for proper regulatory standards for assessing the quality and strength of carbonated bottles in India. Uniform Standards can be prescribed by Indian Standard Institute which may help to eliminate defective bottles and to ensure that the internal pressure within a bottle does not exceed its strength. Bottlers may be asked to attach instructions on proper handling and storage.
The earliest report in the ophthalmic literature that is devoted to eye injuries from exploding beverage bottles is from Germany by Leydecker.Gupta AK reported cases of such injuries.He suggested a need for proper regulatory standards for assessing the quality and strength of carbonated bottles in India. Uniform Standards can be prescribed by Indian Standard Institute which may help to eliminate defective bottles and to ensure that the internal pressure within a bottle does not exceed its strength. Bottlers may be asked to attach instructions on proper handling and storage.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Air Conditioners and health
Staying Too Long in an Air-Conditioned Rooms is Bad for Eyes
People who wear contact lenses or have to use computers for a substantial period of time every day are advised by doctors not to stay too long in an air-conditioned rooms.
Staying in an air-conditioned room too long in the summertime may contribute to xerophthalmia, or dryness of eyeballs.
Those who use computers for long stretches at a time stare at the screen often and blink less, which may expose the cornea to more dry air in a room with air-conditioning.
Symptoms are sore eyes, itchiness and eye infections.
Those who wear contacts, especially soft lens users, need more moisture to keep the lenses from falling off, but moisture easily dries off in an air-conditioned room,it is said.
People who wear contact lenses or have to use computers for a substantial period of time every day are advised by doctors not to stay too long in an air-conditioned rooms.
Staying in an air-conditioned room too long in the summertime may contribute to xerophthalmia, or dryness of eyeballs.
Those who use computers for long stretches at a time stare at the screen often and blink less, which may expose the cornea to more dry air in a room with air-conditioning.
Symptoms are sore eyes, itchiness and eye infections.
Those who wear contacts, especially soft lens users, need more moisture to keep the lenses from falling off, but moisture easily dries off in an air-conditioned room,it is said.
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