STOPPING SMOKING AND AREDS ONLY PREVENTION FOR MACULAR DEGENERATION

SpringerLink - International Ophthalmology, Online First™

According to this study, the only effective preventive measures to prevent macular degeneration are stopping smoking and the multivitamin regimen recommended by the AREDS study.

DORZOLAMIDE DROPS MAY HELP VISION IN PATIENTS WITH RETINITIS PIGMENTOSA AND USHER SYNDROME

Arch Ophthalmol -- Abstract: Efficacy of Sustained Topical Dorzolamide Therapy for Cystic Macular Lesions in Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa and Usher Syndrome, September 2010, Genead and Fishman 128 (9): 1146

Retinitis Pigmentosa and Usher Syndrome are genetic eye conditions that significantly decrease vision. One of the clinical characteristics is swelling on the macula, that part of the retina that serves central vision.

Dorzolamide is a topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor used primarily in the treatment of glaucoma, commonly known as Trusopt. This study tested the use of dorzolamide for macular edema in patients with retinitis pigmentosa and Usher Syndrome. The results and conclusion are below:

Results Among the study cohort, 20 of 32 patients (63%) showed a positive response to treatment in at least 1 eye and 13 patients (41%) showed a positive response in both eyes. Four patients (20%) showed an initial response and a subsequent rebound of macular cysts. In 8 patients (25%), there was no response to treatment and the macular cysts worsened when compared with the pretreatment level. Ten patients (31%) had improvement in visual acuity by 7 or more letters in at least 1 eye at the most recent follow-up visit. Sixteen patients (67%) showed a reduction of more than 11% in the central foveal zone thickness in at least 1 eye when compared with the pretreatment level.

Conclusions Patients with either retinitis pigmentosa or Usher syndrome who received treatment of cystoid macular edema with topical dorzolamide followed by an optical coherencetomography–guided strategy showed a decrease in central foveal zone thickness in most cases. Visual acuity improved in almost one-third of the cases, suggesting a potential corresponding visual benefit.

ANECORTAVE ACETATE INJECTION DECREASES EYE PRESSURE ABOUT 30%

Hypotensive Effect of Juxtascleral Administration of Anecort... : Journal of Glaucoma

This study demonstrated that a single eye injection (juxtascleral) of anecortave acetate (a type of steroid) results in a significant intra-ocular pressure reduction of about 30% in eyes with different types of glaucoma.

Additional information can be found here.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RETINOSHISIS AND MACULAR HOLE IN HIGHLY NEAR-SIGHTED EYES

Access : Natural evolution from macular retinoschisis to full-thickness macular hole in highly myopic eyes : Eye

Retinoschisis is a partial detachment of the retina from itself, occurring in the peripheral retina. The attached layers of the retina prevent a full retina detachment. Retinoschisis is usu

ally non-threatening and not treated. It is merely observed from year to year.

A macular hole is a complete retinal hole that occurs in the macula, that area that affects the center of vision. It occurs suddenly and usually requires treatment with a decent prognosis.

This article describes the relationship of retinoschisis to macular hole formation.

NEONATAL LACRIMAL DRAINAGE STENOSIS ASSOCIATED WITH LAZY EYE

Arch Ophthalmol -- Abstract: Neonatal Dacryostenosis as a Risk Factor for Anisometropia, September 2010, Piotrowski et al. 128 (9): 1166

Neonatal dacryostenosis occurs when the passageway the drains the tears into the nose is blocked or not opened in a newborn baby. The child tends to have bouts of yellow mucous discharge. Until the child is 1 year old, treatment consists of aggressive massage of the drainage duct opening and antibiotic ointment. After a year, a procedure called a dacryocystorhinostomy is performed to open the passageways.

Anisometropia is a difference in focusing power between the two eyes. This often causes amblyopia, or "lazy eye" because the patient always uses the "good" eye and there's rarely a clear image brought into the "lazy" eye. The brain never develops to see clearly through the lazy eye.

This study indicates that there may be an association between neonatal dacryostenosis and anisometropia. Usually the more hyperopic eye occurs on the side with more stenosis.

MENICON-Z HYPER-DK LENSES SAFE FOR EXTENDED CONTINUOUS WEAR

Postmarket Surveillance of Menicon Z Rigid Gas-Permeable Con... : Eye & Contact Lens

In this study, none of the patients wearing the Menicon-Z rigid gas permeable Hyper Dk lenses developed microbial keratitis. This lens appears to be an alternative to soft contact lenses, which cause a higher incidence of microbial keratitis, for those patients who want to wear their contact lenses extended wear.

INDIVIDUALS WITH SIGHT LOSS MAY REPORT DECREASED EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING

Emotional well-being in people with sight loss — British Journal of Visual Impairment

This review of studies concluded that people with sight loss can report low emotional well-being.

STOMACH ULCER BACTERIA ASSOCIATED WITH NORMAL TENSION GLAUCOMA

Investigation of the Association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Normal Tension Glaucoma -- Kim et al., 10.1167/iovs.10-6096 -- Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

Although high pressure in the eyes is often a factor in glaucoma, there are often glaucoma patients that start out with "normal" or average intra-ocular pressures. We call this "Normal Tension Glaucoma".

H. Pylori is a bacteria that is harbored in the stomach and is often responsible for stomach and intestinal ulcers. This report studied the link between the bacteria H. Pylori and normal tension glaucoma. It concluded:

"H. pylori infection may be associated with an increased risk of Normal Tension Glaucoma. H. pylori may play a role in the development or progression of Normal Tension Glaucoma as a secondary aggravating factor due to the coexistence of other main causes or may be the primary cause."

ALPHAGAN DOES NOT APPEAR TO LOWER INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE DURING SLEEP

Diurnal and Nocturnal Effects of Brimonidine Monotherapy on Intraocular Pressure

According to this study, Alphagan is effective at lowering pressure during waking hours, but does not appear to have effect during sleeping.

ASPIRIN HELPS IN CSR (CENTRAL SEROUS RETINOPATHY)

Low-dose aspirin as treatment for central serous chorioretinopathy

Central Serous Retinopathy (CSR) causes blurriness of central vision for about a 3 month period of time. It often occurs spontaneously in individuals with type-A personalities. It is caused by leakage and subsequent swelling in the part of the retina that affects central vision. To date there have been no significant treatments except to monitor and await spontaneous resolution.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of aspirin for the treatment of CSR. Patients with CSR were treated with aspirin 100 mg per day orally for 1 month followed by 100 mg on alternate days for 5 months.

Results: Mean visual acuity in the group treated with aspirin started to improve after the first week of therapy and continued to improve throughout the following 3 months. Visual recovery was slower in the untreated control group than in the treated group and achieved better visual acuity between the first and third month from the onset of the disease. There were no adverse events related to the administration of aspirin.

Conclusion: The results indicate that treatment with low-dose aspirin may result in more rapid visual rehabilitation with fewer recurrences in patient with CSR compared with untreated controls.

IT IS WORTH CORRECTING PERIPHERAL VISION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH CENTRAL VISION LOSS

Influence of Optical Defocus on Peripheral Vision -- Rosén et al., 10.1167/iovs.10-5623 -- Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science

Is it worth correcting a patient with glasses who has limited central vision, but retained peripheral vision? This study suggests the patient is benefited by vision correction of peripheral focusing errors.