IMPLANTED TELESCOPES

Los Angeles Times

UC Irvine ophthalmologists implanted tiny telescopes in two patients suffering from age-related, end-stage macular degeneration, the university announced this week.

Doctors from the university's Gavin Herbert Eye Institute in December inserted one of the 4-millimeter telescopes into an 85-year-old Irvine resident's eye and another in a 94-year-old Anaheim resident's eye, according to a UCI statement.

The devices restore limited vision by projecting an image onto the undamaged section of the retina, enabling patients to recognize faces, read and perform daily activities.

After the implant, the Irvine resident was able to see her son's face for the first time in more than a decade.

The institute is one of a few in the country performing the procedure, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved in 2010.

Macular degeneration is the leading cause of sight loss common among adults older than 50, according to the National Institutes of Health. Smokers, Caucasians and those with a family history are most at risk, according to the institutes.

ORTHOKERATOLOGY AND MYOPIA CONTROL

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2012 Jun 22. [Epub ahead of print]

Myopia Control with Orthokeratology Contact Lenses in Spain (MCOS): Refractive and Biometric Changes.

Santodomingo-Rubido J, Villa-Collar C, Gilmartin B, Gutierrez-Ortega R.

Source

Menicon Co., Ltd, Iglesia 9, Apartamento 106, Madrid, Majadahonda, 28220, Spain.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To compare axial length growth between white children with myopia wearing orthokeratology contact lenses (OK) and distance single-vision spectacles (SV) over a 2-year period.

METHODS:

Subjects 6 to 12 years of age with myopia -0.75 to -4.00DS and astigmatism ≤1.00DC were prospectively allocated OK or SV correction. Measurements of axial length (Zeiss IOLMaster), corneal topography and cycloplegic refraction were taken at 6-month intervals.

RESULTS:

Thirty-one children were fitted with OK and 30 with SV. Following 24-months, axial length increased significantly over time for both the OK group (0.47mm) and SV group (0.69mm; p<0.001) with a significant interaction between time and group (p=0.05) reflecting a greater increase in the SV group. Significant differences in refraction were found over time, between groups and for the interaction between time and group for spherical (all p<0.001) but not cylindrical components of refraction (all p>0.05). Significantly greater corneal flattening was evident in the OK group for the flatter and steeper corneal powers and for corneal shape factor (all p≤0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Orthokeratology contact lens wear reduces axial elongation in comparison to distance single-vision spectacles in children.

STATIN USE MAY LOWER RISK FOR GLAUCOMA

Below is the abstract from the June 22 edition of Opthalmology

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To determine whether 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) affect the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma (OAG) in persons with hyperlipidemia.

DESIGN:

Retrospective, longitudinal cohort analysis.

PARTICIPANTS:

Individuals aged ≥60 years with hyperlipidemia enrolled in a national United States managed care network between 2001 and 2009.

METHODS:

Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between statin use and the development of OAG (from no prior OAG diagnosis), progression from a prior diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to a diagnosis of OAG, and need for medical or operative interventions for OAG. Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors and medical and ocular comorbidities.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS:

Of the 524 109 individuals with hyperlipidemia, 316 182 (60%) had ≥1 outpatient prescription for statins. The hazard of developing OAG decreased 0.3% (adjusted HR, 0.997; 95% CI 0.994-0.999) for every additional month of statin consumption. Individuals with hyperlipidemia who took statins continuously for 2 years had an 8% (adjusted HR, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.870-0.976) decreased OAG risk relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of progressing from a diagnosis of glaucoma suspect to OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993-0.999) for every additional month of statin exposure. Individuals who took statins continuously for 2 years had a 9% (adjusted HR, 0.907; 95% CI, 0.846-0.973) decreased risk of progressing from glaucoma suspect to OAG relative to those who received no statin therapy. The hazard of requiring medical treatment for OAG decreased 0.4% (adjusted HR, 0.996; 95% CI, 0.993-0.998) for every additional month of statin exposure. No differences in need for glaucoma surgery were noted among those with OAG who were and were not taking statins (adjusted HR, 1.002; 95% CI, 0.994-1.010).

CONCLUSIONS:

Statin use was associated with a significant reduction in the risk of OAG among persons with hyperlipidemia. Given the mounting evidence of statin protection against OAG including both basic science and observational clinical studies, an interventional prospective study might provide additional insights into the role of statins in the prevention of early OAG.

OTC COLORED CONTACTS VERY DANGEROUS

Cornea. 2012 Feb 28. [Epub ahead of print]

Colored Cosmetic Contact Lenses: An Unsafe Trend in the Younger Generation.

Singh S, Satani D, Patel A, Vhankade R.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To identify the microbiological profile and evaluate the clinical course and outcomes in patients who developed severe infectious keratitis after colored cosmetic contact lens wear.

METHODS:

This case series includes 13 patients who developed severe infectious keratitis after colored cosmetic contact lens wear. A detailed history regarding contact lens availability and storage and handling techniques was taken. All patients underwent standard diagnostic microbiological evaluation followed by culture-guided topical antimicrobial therapy.

RESULTS:

Of 13 patients, 8 were male and 5 were female, with mean age at presentation of 19 ± 3.8 years. All patients were emmetropic, and lenses were worn solely for cosmetic purposes. Seven lenses were dispensed without prescription or fitting from an unlicensed optical shop, 5 patients had shared lenses with friends/relatives, and 1 patient obtained the lens from the garbage. None of the patients followed the recommended contact lens handling and storage techniques. The causative microorganisms included Pseudomonas aeruginosa (54%), Staphylococcus aureus (25%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (17%), with 1 case of viral keratitis. In 62% of cases, ulcer size was ≥5 × 5 mm and posttreatment corrected visual acuity was 6/24 or less. All patients responded well to topical antimicrobials, and none required surgical intervention.

CONCLUSIONS:

Over-the-counter use of decorative lenses as a cosmetic aid is rapidly increasing. Easy and unmonitored availability of these cosmetic lenses is followed by severe sight-threatening complications in young emmetropic individuals.

PMID:

 

22378117

 

[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

EATING FRUIT MAY HELP PREVENT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

WebMD reported on a Japanese study that showed that:

People who ate an average of 9 ounces of fruit a day had half the risk of developing the eye condition over the eight-year period, compared with those who ate less than an ounce a day, the study showed. The odds were about 40% lower for people who ate an average of 3 to 5 ounces of fruit a day, compared with those who ate less than an ounce a day.

COFFEE AND INTRAOCULAR PRESSURE

This study in Nature  concludes that coffee increases intraocular pressure in a statistically significant way but not in a clinically significant way for those with ocular hypertension, glaucoma, or suspicion of glaucoma.

AVANDIA AND ACTOS INCREASE RISK OF MACULAR EDEMA

New York Times

The New York Times reports on a study that found that Avandia and Actos, common diabetes drugs, increase the risk of macular edema.

EXCESS BLUE LIGHT EXPOSURE MAY BE A RISK FACTOR FOR MACULAR DEGENERATION

As blue light-induced damage accumulates over a lifetime, by the time you are in your 40s and 50s, you are at an increased risk for AMD, vision impairment, and decreased visual performance. This article in the  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel explains possible protective measures you can take.  There is a lot of blue light entering the eye from the sky here in Arizona, so wear your sunglasses!