Vision Blog

A new study offers new hope for adults with untreated lazy eye. The canadian study shows that the brain regions responsible for vision are capable of adapting in adults. Lazy eye, or amblyopia, is an eye problem that sometimes occurs in growing children. Lazy eye is often associated with crossed eyes. If lazy eye is not detected and treated early in life, loss of vision and depth perception can occur.

Just 15 minutes of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows improvements. The treatment involves placing a handheld coil against the scalp. The coil delivers a rapid train of magnetic pulses. Repeated doses of rTMS may allow for longer-lasting effects.

Suggested Reading:

• What Is Lazy Eye?
• Amblyopia

_{Source: Genova, Cathleen, New Hope for Adults with Lazy Eye." Medical News Today, 20 Jul 2008.}

If your contacts are seeing a lot of pool time this summer, you may want to consider an alternative. Wearing contact lenses in the pool could lead to eye infections. Because soft contacts contain a lot of water, they act like sponges for microorganisms and chemicals. If the pool water is dirty, it could lead to coneal ulcers or infections.

If you wear contacts and want to swim in the pool, eye doctors recommend thoroughly cleaning the lenses immediately after swimming. Better yet, wear disposable contacts that can be thrown away after a dip in the pool. Also, you may want to invest in a pair of prescription goggles to wear in the pool instead of contacts.

Further reading:

• All About Contacts
• Before You Get Contacts
• 10 Ways to Minimize Infections

Drinking red wine may help prevent cataracts, one of the common effects of aging. According to a new report in "Cell Metabolism," large doses of resveratrol, an ingredient found in red wine, delayed or prevented many ailments associated with aging in mice who began taking it at midlife. The study showed evidence that resveratrol mimics the beneficial effects of eating fewer calories. Earlier studies have shown that reducing calorie intake by 30%-50%, or eating a nutritious diet every other day, can delay the onset of age-related diseases and improve quality of life.

Suggested reading:

• What Are Cataracts?
• How to Delay Cataracts
• Your Eyes Through the Years

_Source:

Genova, Cathleen, Red Wine Ingredient Wards Off Effects Of Age On Heart, Bones, Eyes And Muscle. Medical News Today, 6 July 2008.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology urges families to attend public fireworks displays, instead of using fireworks at home. According to the United States Eye Injury Registry, approximately 12,000 Americans are treated in emergency departments annually for firework-related injuries, and approximately 2,000 of those injuries involve the eye. Almost half of those injured are simply bystanders.

I see many eye injuries in young children resulting from the use of sparklers. Many parents pick up a box of sparklers for the young ones, believing they are a safe alternative to explosive fireworks. However, sparklers burn as hot as 2,000 degrees, hot enough to melt gold. Small children are fascinated by the sparks of light, sparks that could potentially burn their eyes.

This year, play it safe and attend a public fireworks display. The following tips will help your family celebrate safely:

• View displays from at least 500 feet (one-quarter mile) away
• Respect safety barriers set up by pyrotechnicians
• Let trained professionals light the fireworks
• Don't touch unexploded fireworks

_{Source: American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Academy Of Ophthalmology Warns Parents To Leave Fireworks To The Professionals Medical News Today, 21 Jun 2007.}

Waking up to a bright red spot in the eye is not uncommon. Most likely, the red spot you see is a small blood vessel that burst open during the night. In medical terms, it is called a subconjuntival hemmorhage. A subconjunctival hemmorhage can occur if a person has too much pressure on the upper part of the body or head.

Pink eye, or allergic conjunctivitis, is very common but is not contagious. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching and increased tearing of the eyes.

If you think you or your child has pink eye, make an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.

_{Photo © A.D.A.M.}

We all know that too much sun may cause skin cancer, but few people know that skin cancer can spread to the eyes. Paul T. Finger, MD, head of ocular cancer services at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, says that patients diagnosed with skin melanoma should have an eye examination to see if it has metastasized to the orbit or the eye. Early detection offers the best chance to preserve sight and quality of life.

Remember to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays by wearing sunglasses. Unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays can increase the risk of developing cataracts and damaging the retina, which could lead to total blindness.

Related:

• UV Eye Safety
• How to Protect Your Eyes from the Sun
• Buying Sunglasses

_Source:

Axel F. Bang PR & Marketing, Melanoma Patients Should Get Eye Exam. Newswise Medical News, 12 June 2008.

If you have extremely dry eys, you might consider "plugging your tear ducts." Punctal occlusion is a painless procedure in which the puncta (small openings in the corners of the eyes through which tears drain) are blocked to help the eyes maintain moisture.

Suggested reading:

• Dry Eye Syndrome
• Symptoms of Dry Eye Syndrome

Eyelid margin disease refers to a common condition in which the eyelids are persitently inflamed. The condition produces dandruff-like flakes and debris that collect on the eyelashes and eyelid margins. Patients with eyelid margin disease typically complain of constant itching, stinging, burning and redness.

Related:

• Blepharitis

I've never actually had one myself, but I have treated many. A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the surface of the cornea. Corneal ulcers are common in contact lens wearers, especially if one sleeps in contact lenses. Most patients with them come to me in pain. If you have one, you probably know that something is wrong.

If you suspect a corneal ulcer, it's important to see your eye doctor promptly. Certain types of bacteria are extremely aggressive and can quickly cause severe damage and even blindness if left untreated.

Suggested Reading:

• What Are Corneal Ulcers?
• Ways to Minimize Eye Infections