PUNCTAL PLUGS AIDS GLAUCOMA TREATMENT

Opitz D. Yung Tung SG, Park JJW. paper presented at: Academy 2009; November 2009; Orlando, FL

This study, presented at the Academy of Optometry by Dominick Optiz, OD, FAAO found that by occluding the tear drainage system of the eye (both upper and lower canal) of patients taking glaucoma medication, the intraocular pressure decreased an average of 6.82%. This may help in those patients whose pressure is just above target who cannot tolerate or comply with additional glaucoma drops that what they're already using.

STATINS REDUCE CATARACT RISK

Statins significantly reduce cataract risk in patients younger than 75 years

This study shows that risk of cataract is reduced for patients using statins. Statins are used to lower LDL cholesterol and include medications such as Mevacor, Zocor, and Lipitor. We may see statins used in the future, in patients who don't have heart disease, to prevent cataracts in high risk patients.