September 16th, 2011
Retinal imaging may play a role in the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. A study by Shaun Frost and colleagues from Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization showed that the width of retinal blood vessels are different in poeple with Alzheimer’s disease.
At this time the retinal changes are subtle and only recognizable using advanced computer software. In the future, early Alzheimer’s disease detection may be best detected by an eye examination.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
See Our Online Schedule here.
Tags: Alzheimer's disease, retinal imaging
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Closed
August 28th, 2011
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by gluten in sensitive individuals. Nutritional deficiencies caused by intestinal malabsorption are common and include:
- calcium
- fatty acids
- folic acid
- iron
- magnesium
- vitamin D
- vitamin K
These nutritional deficiencies may also increase the risk of cataract development. A study in the May 2011 American Journal Of Epidemology showed those with celiac disease are at an increased risk of developing cataract.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Our schedule online here.
Tags: Cataract, celiac disease
Posted in Cataract | Comments Closed
August 15th, 2011
Many of us have had it before. The annoying eyelid flutter that seems to mysteriously appear without explanation. Commonly it lasts a day or two but sometimes can occur for weeks or even months at a time.
The eyelid twitch is called myokymia and is a caused by involuntary contractions of the obicularis oculi muscle. They tend to affect the lower eyelid and are commonly caused by:
- Anxiety
- Excessive Caffeine
- Fatigue
- Nutritional Deficiencies
- Stress
If you are able to pinpoint the suspected cause, then elimination of the risk factor will generally alleviate the twitching. Nutritionally, potassium and vitamin B may be helpful. On occasion, a topical antihistamine may be prescribed or the use of quinine (found in tonic water) recommended (not if you are pregnant) for its muscle relaxant properties. In addition, Botox injections are sometimes used for persistent symptoms.
If the eyelid twitch extends into the facial muscles causing the entire lid to close then that can be a sign of an uncommon, but serious neurological condition.
Have a question about eyelid myokymia? Schedule an appointment with Gray Family Vision today.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Tags: eyelid twitch, myokymia
Posted in Eyelids | Comments Closed
August 8th, 2011
According to the National Eye Institute, sports related eye injuries are the leading cause of blindness in children. It is estimated that 90% of sports related eye injuries can be prevented with special protective eyewear; ordinary eyeglasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses do not qualify as protective eyewear.
Sports with the most eye related injuries:
- baseball (the #1 risk for those 14 and under)
- basketball (the #1 risk for those between 15 and 24)
- boxing
- hockey
- paintball
- raquetball
- softball
- squash
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Tags: sports eye injuries, sports eyewear
Posted in Eyeglasses | Comments Closed
July 27th, 2011
Metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke; has also been linked to increasing the risk of glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye condition that causes damage to the optic nerve resulting in vision loss. It generally occurs due to elevated pressure within the eye and has few, if any, symptoms until its more advanced stages.
A longitudinal cohort study published in Ophthalmology, included 2,182,135 members enrolled in a managed care network who received an eye examination between 2001 and 2007. Data analysis showed the following increased risk of developing glaucoma:
- High Cholesterol 5%
- Obesity 15%
- High Blood Pressure 17%
- Diabetes 35%
- Diabetes & High Blood Pressure 48%
Interested in determining your risk of glaucoma? Schedule an appointment with an optometrist at Gray Family Vision today.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Tags: glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes
Posted in Glaucoma | Comments Closed
July 21st, 2011
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the bulbar conjunctiva (white portion of the eye) and commonly presents with sticky eyelids, watery or mucous discharge, redness, and irritation. This post will discuss 3 common forms of conjunctivitis and what to do about them.
1. Viral Conjunctivitis or “Pink Eye”
Viral in origin and highly contagious. Most garden variety forms only last a few days but more virulent forms can have effects that last a month or even longer. Redness is typically mild giving the eye a pink look. The eyelids tend to be sticky or matted upon waking and a watery discharge is present throughout the day.
Treatment: Generally no treatment is required but antibiotic drops are sometimes given to prevent secondary bacterial conjunctivitis.
2. Bacterial Conjunctivitis
Bacterial in origin. Less contagious than viral forms, but still can be readily spread especially among children who touch and rub their eyes often. Redness and irritation tend to be more severe producing an eye that is stuck closed upon waking and a mucous discharge throughout the day.
Treatment: Antibiotic drops.
3. Allergic Conjunctivitis.
Allergic in nature. Not contagious. The trademark symptom is itching, itching, and more itching. Swelling and redness is generally evident in the eye or lid. Discharge can be whitish mucous or watery in nature.
Treatment: Responds to allergy intervention.
Interested in learning more about conjunctivitis? Come see an optometrist at Gray Family Vision today.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Tags: allergic conjunctivitis, bacterial conjunctivitis, conjunctivitis, pink eye, viral conjunctivitis
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Closed
July 13th, 2011
Gray Family Vision will be closed next Wednesday July 20, 2011. We will resume our normal office hours Thursday July 21, 2011 at 11 am.
Posted in Gray Family Vision News | Comments Closed
July 11th, 2011
Childhood sunlight exposure may influence the development of myopia.
Myopia or nearsightedness is a common vision disorder affecting nearly 25% of the US population. It is created when light focuses in front of the retina which is the light gathering layer that lines the back surface of the eye.
Australian researches looked at children of Chinese origin living in Singapore and Sydney and matched them for age and parental myopia and found the Singaporean children had rates of myopia ten times higher than children in Sydney. Sydney children actually spent more time in near activities, reading twice as many books per week as the children in Singapore. The key difference between the two cities appeared to be the amount of time spent outside, with Sydney children out about four times as much as the children in Singapore.
Speculation as to how sunlight exposure may affect myopia development centers around two theories:
Increased lighting decreases pupil size and lessens retinal blur by increasing depth of field.
Sunlight exposure increases dopamine which is known to inhibit eye growth.
Wonder how your children are seeing? Schedule an examination with a Gray Family Vision optometrist today.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Closed
June 20th, 2011
The first signs of health problems are often detected during routine eye examinations. A 2008 study by Vision Service Plan (VSP) and Human Capitol Mangement Services (HCMS) looked at claims data on 90,000 VSP members. The purpose of the study was to determine how often an eye examination was the first to detect early signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
First Diagnosis By Eye Exam
- Diabetes 20%
- High Blood Pressure 30%
- High Cholesterol 65%
Need an eye exam? Schedule with an optometrist at Gray Family Vision today.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Tags: diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
Posted in Gray Family Vision News | No Comments »
June 12th, 2011
A recent study suggests having a shingles outbreak may increase the risk of developing MS in the following year.
Shingles is a blistering skin rash that can also have serious ocular effects. It is caused by varicella-zoster virus which is the same virus that causes chicken pox. In a recent study in Journal of Infectious Disease , 315,550 adult participants with shingles and 946,650 healthy controls were followed for one year. Researchers found that the participants with shingles were nearly four times more likely to develop MS in the following year. The research was conducted in Taiwan and hopefully will be repeated in other regions.
By Dr. Cook, O.D.
Tags: MS, shingles, zoster
Posted in MS | Comments Closed
