"Oral pilocarpine induced an increase in goblet cells number and an amelioration of conjunctival epithelium not dependent on tear secretion."Yea, but how 'bout those side effects! I can't imagine using oral pilocarpine in anyone but the more desperate dry eye patients.
"CCT is a significant factor in predicting the extent of localized RNFL defect at the initial examination of NTG patients."In some ways this study spurs more questions rather than answers. Again, thin corneas are higher risk for glaucoma, but I can't imaine that this study suggests the correlation is anything more than missed diagnoses due to clinician assumptions of "normal" intraocular pressure. For me, anyone with moderate to extensive cupping deserves a pachymetry and if the corneas are thin, further evaluation is warranted.
"Selective laser trabeculoplasty was found to be equally efficacious as latanoprost in reducing intraocular pressure in newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension over 12 months, independent of angle pigmentation. These findings support the consideration of selective laser trabeculoplasty as a first-line treatment for newly diagnosed open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension."
"Prophylactic diode laser treatment to an eye with multiple large drusen in a patient whose fellow eye has already suffered a neovascular event places the treated eye at higher risk of developing choroidal neovascularization. We advise against using prophylactic subthreshold diode laser treatment in these eyes."
"This is because of its high phosphate concentration and typically frequent instillation. Manufacturers and prescribers should be aware that topical preparations may contain considerable amounts of phosphate which may lead to sight threatening corneal complications."The only drop I know with sodium hyaluronate is Aquify. The abstract does not define "frequent" but the full-text probably does.
"Women on hormone replacement therapy are at an increased risk of refractive regression after LASIK."
"that the meibomian gland secretes a number of proteins into the tear film. It is quite possible that these proteins contribute to the dynamics of the tear film in both health and disease."This underscores the importance of addressing meibomian gland dysfunction in the treatment of dry eyes. I've been using flaxseed oil for this purpose lately with success, in addition to our other resources such as Restasis and plugs.
"For men with a history of myocardial infarction or hypertension the use of Viagra or Cialis may increase the risk of NAION. Physicians prescribing these medications to patients with these conditions should warn them about the potential risk of NAION."
"An abnormal result in FDT shows a high risk of future scotoma on HFA after 3 years even if the original HFA perimetry showed normal results."I think FDT is a great screening test that is so fast and easy to use that it ought to be part of the standard tech work-up.
"AMD patients with systemic hypertension have lower choroidal blood flow than those without systemic hypertension. This decrease in choroidal blood circulation may help explain the mechanism by which systemic hypertension may contribute to the progression of AMD and the development of choroidal neovascularisation."
"Smoking for more than 20 pack-years increases the risk of developing CG more than 2-fold."
"ReNu with MoistureLoc was being pulled from U.S. store shelves at the request of Bausch & Lomb amid concern the contact lens solution may be linked to a fungal eye infection that can cause blindness."It goes on to say:
"Federal health officials have made no direct link between MoistureLoc and the infections, but a high incidence of affected patients interviewed had used the cleaner."
“AMD is associated with immune, inflammatory and other cardiovascular mechanisms, and these results emphasize the need to adhere to healthy lifestyles for your eyes and your body overall,” Dr. Seddon and colleagues said in the release.
Higher levels of serum antioxidants vitamin C and lutein/zeaxanthin and higher fish intake were associated with lower serum C-reactive protein levels, the researchers found. Serum vitamin E, smoking and increased body mass index were associated with an increased C-reactive protein level. Hypertension was associated with an increased homocysteine level, while vitamin E, beta carotene and dietary intake of antioxidants and vitamin B6 were associated with lower levels of the plasma, Dr. Seddon and colleagues said.
“Factors reported to be related to AMD, namely antioxidants, smoking, body mass and fish intake, are also associated with inflammatory, immune or other cardiovascular mechanisms,” the study said.
“Overall, these findings suggest that sick eyes may occur in sick bodies related to smoking, being overweight and other unhealthy behaviors,” the authors said.
The study is published in the April issue of Nutrition.
"...that AMD prevalence was 2.4% for blacks, 4.2% for Hispanics, 4.6% for
Chinese and 5.4% for whites."
