Question:
I have heard that pregnant women should not have eye exams until after the birth because hormonal changes can effect vision, is this true? Or is this some old wives tale? What about fundus examinations? Can it harm an unborn child?
The only reason why I asked is because I had a pregnant patinet ask about fundus exams. It appears that the safety of it has not yet been confirmed.
Precautions: Measurement of the depth of the angle of the anterior chamber should be obtained prior to administration of homatropine to patients with a predisposition to glaucoma.
Excessive ophthalmic use, especially in children and the elderly, may produce systemic symptoms of atropine poisoning. Do not exceed recommended dosage. Not for frequent or prolonged use. If dryness of the mouth occurs, decrease dosage. Discontinue use if rapid pulse or dizziness occurs. Homatropine may cause an increase in intraocular pressure. If eye pain occurs, discontinue use immediately as this may indicate undiagnosed glaucoma.
Pregnancy: Safety has not been established.
Lactation: Documentation is lacking or conflicting regarding the excretion of anticholinergics (especially atropine) in breast milk and the reduction in breast milk production caused by these drugs. Although there is no documentation of adverse effects in breast-fed infants, it is advisable to closely monitor infants of nursing mothers for anticholinergic side effects.
Answer:
I am old enough to have fit a lot of good ole' PMMA lenses. And yes I did see fitting changes in about 25% of the pregnant women I saw. About half of these were permanent changes and about half went back to normal after 3 months post-partum.
Once upon a time we even blamed birth control pills for most of our troubles (at that time 90% of the women over 14 than I asked, were on the pill and I didn't ask the ones under 14. The only problems I found were rare and confined to the first 3 months on or the first 3 months off the pill.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Drug-loaded contact lenses to treat eye diseases
When a person suffers from eye ailments today, nine times out of ten, he will be prescribed eye drops to treat his illness or relieve his discomfort.
However, 95% of the medication administered in this manner flows to where it is not needed. The drops usually mix with tears and drain into the nasal cavity, where they can flow through the blood stream to other organs and cause serious side effects. In addition, dosage through eye drops is inconsistent and difficult to regulate, as most of the drugs are released in an initial burst of concentration.
To counter these problems, researchers have been studying the use of contact lenses to deliver eye medication. One proposed method was to pre-soak the lenses in the drug solution, while another involved incorporating the drug solution in a hollow cavity made by bonding two separate pieces of lens material. However, neither of these methods proved very effective at delivering medication for extended periods of time.
Now, scientists from A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), Dr Edwin Chow and Dr Yi-Yan Yang, have invented a simple method of making polymeric lens materials that can be loaded with eye medication for ophthalmic drug delivery applications. Their novel one-step process incorporates drugs within a nanostructured polymer matrix via an in situ microemulsion polymerization process. Through this method, transparent and mechanically strong lens materials with a nanostructured polymer network can be fabricated easily and cost-effectively.
According to Dr Chow, “The resulting material is compatible with human skin cells, as well as human corneal epithelial cells. It is also permeable to gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, water and components of the tear fluid. Thus, this material is suitable for use in biological and biomedical applications.”
“Our approach also allows great flexibility in designing controlled drug delivery vehicles that can be tailored to different drugs and remain effective for extended periods. Drugs may also be encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles, which are then dispersed through the lens material. By altering the size, concentration and structure of these polymeric nanoparticles, we can further control the drug delivery rate, while retaining the appropriate lens clarity,” he added.
This new approach could be adapted to deliver glaucoma medication, as this eye disease is particularly hard to treat and existing medications have numerous side effects. Glaucoma accounts for 20% of blindness in Singapore, and is rapidly becoming the second major cause of blindness in Asia after cataracts. Contact lens wearers with dry eyes may also benefit from this invention, as the material can be modified to produce self-lubricating contact lenses.
This technology has been identified for Commercialization of Technology funding by A*STAR’s Exploit Technologies and IBN is looking for partners to help with its commercialization.
However, 95% of the medication administered in this manner flows to where it is not needed. The drops usually mix with tears and drain into the nasal cavity, where they can flow through the blood stream to other organs and cause serious side effects. In addition, dosage through eye drops is inconsistent and difficult to regulate, as most of the drugs are released in an initial burst of concentration.
To counter these problems, researchers have been studying the use of contact lenses to deliver eye medication. One proposed method was to pre-soak the lenses in the drug solution, while another involved incorporating the drug solution in a hollow cavity made by bonding two separate pieces of lens material. However, neither of these methods proved very effective at delivering medication for extended periods of time.
Now, scientists from A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN), Dr Edwin Chow and Dr Yi-Yan Yang, have invented a simple method of making polymeric lens materials that can be loaded with eye medication for ophthalmic drug delivery applications. Their novel one-step process incorporates drugs within a nanostructured polymer matrix via an in situ microemulsion polymerization process. Through this method, transparent and mechanically strong lens materials with a nanostructured polymer network can be fabricated easily and cost-effectively.
According to Dr Chow, “The resulting material is compatible with human skin cells, as well as human corneal epithelial cells. It is also permeable to gases such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, water and components of the tear fluid. Thus, this material is suitable for use in biological and biomedical applications.”
“Our approach also allows great flexibility in designing controlled drug delivery vehicles that can be tailored to different drugs and remain effective for extended periods. Drugs may also be encapsulated in polymeric nanoparticles, which are then dispersed through the lens material. By altering the size, concentration and structure of these polymeric nanoparticles, we can further control the drug delivery rate, while retaining the appropriate lens clarity,” he added.
This new approach could be adapted to deliver glaucoma medication, as this eye disease is particularly hard to treat and existing medications have numerous side effects. Glaucoma accounts for 20% of blindness in Singapore, and is rapidly becoming the second major cause of blindness in Asia after cataracts. Contact lens wearers with dry eyes may also benefit from this invention, as the material can be modified to produce self-lubricating contact lenses.
This technology has been identified for Commercialization of Technology funding by A*STAR’s Exploit Technologies and IBN is looking for partners to help with its commercialization.
3 best things for eyes
According to the American Academy of Opthalmology, these are the Three BEST things a person can do for their eyes.
1.) Wear sunglasses that filter out damaging UV light. (A brimmed hat is also recommended – preferably one with an Indianapolis Colts logo)
2.) Eat at least Five servings of Fruits and Vegetables each day – especially those containing vitamins A and C and the carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, among others) hmmm..and I thought carotenoids were something that grew on a martial artists butt…
3.) Get regular eye exams between ages 40 and 60 (every two to four years)
Now that one surprised me…it didn’t seem like enough and it only included ages 40 to 60….does that mean I don’t have to see an eye doctor until I am 40 and then I pretty much only need to go 5 or 6 times the rest of my life?
Anyway, Number 4 on the list was not published but it had something to do with hanging lots of pictures of Penelope Cruz and making sure you look at them often!
I think the operative (literally) word here is "Ophthalmology." Ophthalmologists are surgeons. Surgeons like to operate. The average M.D. doesn't want to "waste" their time performing eye exams on healthy 30 year old eyes (well, actually, their techs perform the eye exams- but that's another post ).
Ophthalmologists make their real money in the operating room, so they want to see patients in their offices who are more likely to need surgery. If you looked at the American Optometric Academy recommendations, I'm sure there would be something in there about the absolute necessity of having exams every one-two years for your entire life.
Sadly, but true, it so happens that a lot of the "recommendations" on how all of us worker smurfs can live well just happen to put money in the pockets of the membership of all these medical societies. You should attend a continuing ed credit for a doctor sometime. Half the class regards actually performing a procedure- the other half is on how to bill Medicare (or some other third party) for it.
1.) Wear sunglasses that filter out damaging UV light. (A brimmed hat is also recommended – preferably one with an Indianapolis Colts logo)
2.) Eat at least Five servings of Fruits and Vegetables each day – especially those containing vitamins A and C and the carotenoids (beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin, among others) hmmm..and I thought carotenoids were something that grew on a martial artists butt…
3.) Get regular eye exams between ages 40 and 60 (every two to four years)
Now that one surprised me…it didn’t seem like enough and it only included ages 40 to 60….does that mean I don’t have to see an eye doctor until I am 40 and then I pretty much only need to go 5 or 6 times the rest of my life?
Anyway, Number 4 on the list was not published but it had something to do with hanging lots of pictures of Penelope Cruz and making sure you look at them often!
I think the operative (literally) word here is "Ophthalmology." Ophthalmologists are surgeons. Surgeons like to operate. The average M.D. doesn't want to "waste" their time performing eye exams on healthy 30 year old eyes (well, actually, their techs perform the eye exams- but that's another post ).
Ophthalmologists make their real money in the operating room, so they want to see patients in their offices who are more likely to need surgery. If you looked at the American Optometric Academy recommendations, I'm sure there would be something in there about the absolute necessity of having exams every one-two years for your entire life.
Sadly, but true, it so happens that a lot of the "recommendations" on how all of us worker smurfs can live well just happen to put money in the pockets of the membership of all these medical societies. You should attend a continuing ed credit for a doctor sometime. Half the class regards actually performing a procedure- the other half is on how to bill Medicare (or some other third party) for it.
Xalatan and Open Angle Glaucoma
Question:
My wifes grandmother is about 89 years old. She sees 20/20 without any medicine or galsses. Her eye doctor recently gave her a free sample of Xalatan and told her that anyone over 65 years old should take it as a "preventative measure". Some how that jsut doesn't sound like good advice to me. She is not complaining of any blurring. She has no vision problems at all. Is it possible this nut just wants to change the color of her eyes?????
Answer:
Using glaucoma medications "as a preventative measure" is a new one on me. It is certainly not the "standard of care". Besides being therapeautically unsound, it is a big waste of money. Presuming your mother-in-law DOESN'T have elevated pressure, questionable optic nerves, and /or visual fields defects, I would never initiate any medications. (Is she mentally sharp? Sometimes an elderly patient does not hear or remember everything that was said or the dr. may not have explained it well enough.....or both)
Besides unless she has fairly advanced glaucoma, any treatment would probably be a waste given her advanced age. (It is a judgement call). There is NO cure for glaucoma. The intention is simply delay the disease and significant visual loss throughout their life. But if she is 89 now......she may live to be 110!!!
Xalatan works by increasing the outflow of aqueous ...lowering pressure. It has fewer serious side-effect that the old favorites such as Timoptic and Betoptic such as pulmonary and cardiac complications. But about 1/3 of the patients with a light color eyes using Xalatan have a darkening of the iris. They also sometimes have darker, thicker eyelashes..............purely cosmetic. I usually reserve Xalatan for people with dark eyes already.
My wifes grandmother is about 89 years old. She sees 20/20 without any medicine or galsses. Her eye doctor recently gave her a free sample of Xalatan and told her that anyone over 65 years old should take it as a "preventative measure". Some how that jsut doesn't sound like good advice to me. She is not complaining of any blurring. She has no vision problems at all. Is it possible this nut just wants to change the color of her eyes?????
Answer:
Using glaucoma medications "as a preventative measure" is a new one on me. It is certainly not the "standard of care". Besides being therapeautically unsound, it is a big waste of money. Presuming your mother-in-law DOESN'T have elevated pressure, questionable optic nerves, and /or visual fields defects, I would never initiate any medications. (Is she mentally sharp? Sometimes an elderly patient does not hear or remember everything that was said or the dr. may not have explained it well enough.....or both)
Besides unless she has fairly advanced glaucoma, any treatment would probably be a waste given her advanced age. (It is a judgement call). There is NO cure for glaucoma. The intention is simply delay the disease and significant visual loss throughout their life. But if she is 89 now......she may live to be 110!!!
Xalatan works by increasing the outflow of aqueous ...lowering pressure. It has fewer serious side-effect that the old favorites such as Timoptic and Betoptic such as pulmonary and cardiac complications. But about 1/3 of the patients with a light color eyes using Xalatan have a darkening of the iris. They also sometimes have darker, thicker eyelashes..............purely cosmetic. I usually reserve Xalatan for people with dark eyes already.
Glaucoma
Question:
Glacoma is most dangerous disorder. How in US an Optician helps patients suspect it? What are the latest mathods of dignosing a Glacoma?
Answer:
Maybe I can answer some of your questions. You are absolutely right. Glaucoma is a terrible disease and is very under-diagnosed and under-treated in this country as well as most of the world. Glaucoma is similar to high-blood pressure in that it does not cause any symptoms early in the disease process and it is many-times difficult to "convince" patients that they do have the disease.
By definition, Glaucoma is a disease that slowly destroys the optic nerve. In the past it was thought that elevated pressure in the eye caused the damage and if you had high pressures, then you had glaucoma. Today it is fairly well recoginzed that elevated pressures are only part of the problem. There is surely some vascular problem as well. People with diabetes or hypertension are more likely to get glaucoma which leads us to believe that poor blood flow is one of the causes.
The 4 main tests for glaucoma are: family history, tonometry, visual fields, and visualizing the optic nerve with ophthalmoscopy (the most important). Also a more recently developed test include nerve fiber analysis which may give an earlier diagnosis.
Once you have glaucoma, it never goes away. You will have it until you die. The goal in treatment is to maintain the patients vision as long as they live. Here in the U.S. medical treatment is usually done first. In other countries surgical treatment is done first. There was a study released last month that concluded that both medical and surgical treatments were equally effective.
There is also a new genetic test out called OcuGene that screen for genetic mutations associated with primary open angle glaucoma. As I said it is new as of Nov. 2001 and I have not used it yet so I don't know how well it works.
As far as your question about doing preventative surgery to prevent glaucoma....I do not knowof any at this time.
Good luck and I hope you have great success in educating everyone you can about this horrible eye disease.
Answer:
There are many tests for this, and once one is positive many of them should be used.
Some of thems are:
Checking internal pressure with a weighted pressure checking devise (tonometer).
Checking with an electronic devise (tonogram).
Checking with an air puff tonometer.
Measureing the visual fields (tangent screen and a looney wand).
Measuring peripheral vision by such a simple ploy and moving the
finger around the head from a central position (eyes straight ahead, finger moves) to around the side of the head until it disappears (not terribly accurate).
But, I repeat: This is called the "thief in the night" because once you see the symptoms, you have waited too late.
Glacoma is most dangerous disorder. How in US an Optician helps patients suspect it? What are the latest mathods of dignosing a Glacoma?
Answer:
Maybe I can answer some of your questions. You are absolutely right. Glaucoma is a terrible disease and is very under-diagnosed and under-treated in this country as well as most of the world. Glaucoma is similar to high-blood pressure in that it does not cause any symptoms early in the disease process and it is many-times difficult to "convince" patients that they do have the disease.
By definition, Glaucoma is a disease that slowly destroys the optic nerve. In the past it was thought that elevated pressure in the eye caused the damage and if you had high pressures, then you had glaucoma. Today it is fairly well recoginzed that elevated pressures are only part of the problem. There is surely some vascular problem as well. People with diabetes or hypertension are more likely to get glaucoma which leads us to believe that poor blood flow is one of the causes.
The 4 main tests for glaucoma are: family history, tonometry, visual fields, and visualizing the optic nerve with ophthalmoscopy (the most important). Also a more recently developed test include nerve fiber analysis which may give an earlier diagnosis.
Once you have glaucoma, it never goes away. You will have it until you die. The goal in treatment is to maintain the patients vision as long as they live. Here in the U.S. medical treatment is usually done first. In other countries surgical treatment is done first. There was a study released last month that concluded that both medical and surgical treatments were equally effective.
There is also a new genetic test out called OcuGene that screen for genetic mutations associated with primary open angle glaucoma. As I said it is new as of Nov. 2001 and I have not used it yet so I don't know how well it works.
As far as your question about doing preventative surgery to prevent glaucoma....I do not knowof any at this time.
Good luck and I hope you have great success in educating everyone you can about this horrible eye disease.
Answer:
There are many tests for this, and once one is positive many of them should be used.
Some of thems are:
Checking internal pressure with a weighted pressure checking devise (tonometer).
Checking with an electronic devise (tonogram).
Checking with an air puff tonometer.
Measureing the visual fields (tangent screen and a looney wand).
Measuring peripheral vision by such a simple ploy and moving the
finger around the head from a central position (eyes straight ahead, finger moves) to around the side of the head until it disappears (not terribly accurate).
But, I repeat: This is called the "thief in the night" because once you see the symptoms, you have waited too late.
LASER EYE SURGERY MAY HARM NIGHT VISION, STUDY SUGGESTS
Louise Elliott, The Canadian Press, Toronto
Laser eye surgery, which was performed on almost one million patients worldwide last year, may do long-term damage to the eye's ability to see at night, a British study has found.
Of patients who had undergone the two most common types of surgery - LASIK and photo-refractive keratectomy - 58 percent failed a night vision test, said ophthalmalogist Dr. William Lory of the London Centre for Refractive Surgery in England.
Jory, who presented his findings at the May meeting of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons in Boston, said even patients who responded well overall showed a decrease in night vision.
'What really concerned me was that 41 per cent had gained day time vision, but some of those lost night time vision.'
Jory tested 38 people who underwent surgery two to seven years ago. He said his study was inconclusive because it looked at patients with moderate to severe corrections, who may be more prone to developing night vision problems after surgery.
But Dr. Evanne Casson, a researcher at the University of Ottawa Eye Institute, said Jory's figures were consistent with tests she did on PRK patients between 1996 and 1998. Sixty per cent showed reduced contrast sensitivity- a leading indicator of night vision- in tests covering presurgery to two years later.
Early results of another study show 30 per cent are affected, Casson said. But even that figure is alarming because doctors don't know how surgery will affect the eye as patients age and night vision naturally decreases, she said.
'What happens if 30 per cent of the population is myopic, and half of them get laser surgery? That means 15 per cent of people attempting to drive on the road at night (having had laser surgery)- that's pretty scary.'
Jory said an independant, international study of LASIK patients should be launched immediately.
The LASIK procedure, which overtook PRK as the surgery of choice about five years ago, is now used by up to 95 per cent of patients.
Already, more than 100,000 Canadians have had the procedure, which costs between $1,000 and $3,000, and involves cutting a small flap in the cornea to remove underlying tissue.
Some experts said Jory's numbers were too high.
Dr. Michael Pop, who does the surgery in Montreal, siad he published a study of 1,300 patients that found 50 per cent had night vision problems in the first month after surgery, but only five per cent had problems a year later.
There are different theories about why the surgery reduces night vision. Some say lasers can't adjust to the unique shape of each patients cornea. Others say the surgery can inhibit light's flow through the cornea.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Wear anti glare glasses
Question:
I am a software engineer in an mnc.Thats y i am workin so hours with computer. The problem is with my eyes. I am using LCD monitor, still feel strain on eyes. My eyes blinking rate is very low. Is this the reson for eye strain and headach? I cant concentrate on system for long hours.I have no interest to consult any ophthalmologist for this.If u dont mind can u guide me and it will be very helpfull for me
Answer:
well,LCD has special sorts of screen and is better To use while sitting In Front of computer For a Long time. but You can't wear spectacles to counteract or help your eyes during long hours spent at the computer. Such a solution simply does not exist.
Instead experts recommend you look away from the screen at a point in the distance for a few minutes every 30 minutes or so. I know this sounds unrealistic, but it's for the health of your eyes.
People also blink less when staring at the screen which ultimately causes dry eyes, and then the eyes begin tearing and watering to overcompensate. Remember to blink frequently and also you can buy eyedrops to put in your eyes regularly so they don't become too dry.
Anyway glasses do not exist for the purpose you are requesting, only if your vision is poor and blurry do you need glasses.
I am a software engineer in an mnc.Thats y i am workin so hours with computer. The problem is with my eyes. I am using LCD monitor, still feel strain on eyes. My eyes blinking rate is very low. Is this the reson for eye strain and headach? I cant concentrate on system for long hours.I have no interest to consult any ophthalmologist for this.If u dont mind can u guide me and it will be very helpfull for me
Answer:
well,LCD has special sorts of screen and is better To use while sitting In Front of computer For a Long time. but You can't wear spectacles to counteract or help your eyes during long hours spent at the computer. Such a solution simply does not exist.
Instead experts recommend you look away from the screen at a point in the distance for a few minutes every 30 minutes or so. I know this sounds unrealistic, but it's for the health of your eyes.
People also blink less when staring at the screen which ultimately causes dry eyes, and then the eyes begin tearing and watering to overcompensate. Remember to blink frequently and also you can buy eyedrops to put in your eyes regularly so they don't become too dry.
Anyway glasses do not exist for the purpose you are requesting, only if your vision is poor and blurry do you need glasses.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
N-Acetyl-Carnosine Eye Drops and Cataract Surgery?
Question:
Has anyone had experience with N-Acetyl-Carnosine eye drops? Can it be as an alternative to cataract surgery
Answer:
I had never heard of NAC before.
Since its effectiveness is still unknown, your decision about whether or not to use it should probably be based on safety .
Until there is more evidence that it is safe , I wouldn't use it.
If it were known to be safe , I might try it even if the medical community were still split on its effectiveness. Based on what I have read about it, I think the terms "waste of money" and "scam" are unhelpful.
We have no idea at this point whether or not it is a waste of money, because we really don't know yet whether or not it works.
I would not consider it a scam if the people selling it have legitimate reason to believe that it works (which they do, based on limited scientific studies). If it is actually unsafe (which is quite possible), it is far worse than a waste of money or a scam, so those terms would be misleading. Just my humble opinion.
Has anyone had experience with N-Acetyl-Carnosine eye drops? Can it be as an alternative to cataract surgery
Answer:
I had never heard of NAC before.
Since its effectiveness is still unknown, your decision about whether or not to use it should probably be based on safety .
Until there is more evidence that it is safe , I wouldn't use it.
If it were known to be safe , I might try it even if the medical community were still split on its effectiveness. Based on what I have read about it, I think the terms "waste of money" and "scam" are unhelpful.
We have no idea at this point whether or not it is a waste of money, because we really don't know yet whether or not it works.
I would not consider it a scam if the people selling it have legitimate reason to believe that it works (which they do, based on limited scientific studies). If it is actually unsafe (which is quite possible), it is far worse than a waste of money or a scam, so those terms would be misleading. Just my humble opinion.
Glaucoma and Flonase
Question:
Glaucoma is listed as a rare side effect of Flonase, but the connection seems to be from an increase eye pressure. Could there be an increased risk with normal pressure glaucoma? My eye doctor has found evidence that I may have normal pressure glaucoma. This does not run in my family. I have have been taking Flonase daily for several years.
Answer :
there are many opinions on this. flonase increases risk of "steroid induced glaucoma", which is raised IOP from steroid use. it is rare...most people are not "steroid responders".
*COULD* there be an increased risk? of course. nprmal tension glaucoma is poorly understood, and it is certainly possible that flonase could be contributing in your case.
Glaucoma is listed as a rare side effect of Flonase, but the connection seems to be from an increase eye pressure. Could there be an increased risk with normal pressure glaucoma? My eye doctor has found evidence that I may have normal pressure glaucoma. This does not run in my family. I have have been taking Flonase daily for several years.
Answer :
there are many opinions on this. flonase increases risk of "steroid induced glaucoma", which is raised IOP from steroid use. it is rare...most people are not "steroid responders".
*COULD* there be an increased risk? of course. nprmal tension glaucoma is poorly understood, and it is certainly possible that flonase could be contributing in your case.
Question:
Went to the optometrist this morning to get my eyes checked out cause well my vision sucks especially in my right eye.
They do the standard tests and come to find out there's more intraocular pressure in my right eye than is normal which raises the risk factor for glaucoma.
The doctor said it may be nothing but just to be sure i gotta have more tests done.
So i've got a glaucoma assessment test sometime next week.I guess my question for now is what does the future hold for my sight? I'm sure that's hard to answer as we're all different but I have gotten quite depressed over this and worry what will happen to my left eye which is currently 20/20 with everything normal.
I'm sure the glaucoma specialist will explain other options to me, but is there any hope in being able to see clearly out of my right eye ever again? Perhaps with corrective lenses? I'm having trouble doing my job which is another concern.
Answer:
impossible the guess what is in store for your sight.
no one knows whether you will ever see clearly out of your right eye again. sometimes vein occlusions cause permanent vision loss (but sometimes they dont)
unlikely that you have a tumor behind your eye.
Went to the optometrist this morning to get my eyes checked out cause well my vision sucks especially in my right eye.
They do the standard tests and come to find out there's more intraocular pressure in my right eye than is normal which raises the risk factor for glaucoma.
The doctor said it may be nothing but just to be sure i gotta have more tests done.
So i've got a glaucoma assessment test sometime next week.I guess my question for now is what does the future hold for my sight? I'm sure that's hard to answer as we're all different but I have gotten quite depressed over this and worry what will happen to my left eye which is currently 20/20 with everything normal.
I'm sure the glaucoma specialist will explain other options to me, but is there any hope in being able to see clearly out of my right eye ever again? Perhaps with corrective lenses? I'm having trouble doing my job which is another concern.
Answer:
impossible the guess what is in store for your sight.
no one knows whether you will ever see clearly out of your right eye again. sometimes vein occlusions cause permanent vision loss (but sometimes they dont)
unlikely that you have a tumor behind your eye.
herbal products and high intraocular pressures?
Question:
Has anyone had any luck with alternative medicine in the relief of high intraocular pressures?
I would like to know if there is any herbal products that can perhaps inmprove the visual field. Has anyone had any luck with any products?? I have low tension glaucoma and continue to lose sight. The dr. cannot get my pressures low enough with eye drops to prevent this. I am hoping to avoid surgery because I know that is not a for sure thing either. Thanks!!
Answer:
Natural remedies should not be used in place of conventional treatment for glaucoma, there are a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies that can help prevent the disorder and possible slow it down.
Burdock is one such help that has excellent eye-cleansing and detoxifying properties and is very beneficial when trying to treat eye infections. Rosemary also comes highly recommended for a number of eye problems as it has strong anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to help relieve pain. Chelidonium majus and Meadow Sweet can also be used to help promote healing of the eye and to reduce pain and inflammation.
Has anyone had any luck with alternative medicine in the relief of high intraocular pressures?
I would like to know if there is any herbal products that can perhaps inmprove the visual field. Has anyone had any luck with any products?? I have low tension glaucoma and continue to lose sight. The dr. cannot get my pressures low enough with eye drops to prevent this. I am hoping to avoid surgery because I know that is not a for sure thing either. Thanks!!
Answer:
Natural remedies should not be used in place of conventional treatment for glaucoma, there are a number of herbal and homeopathic remedies that can help prevent the disorder and possible slow it down.
Burdock is one such help that has excellent eye-cleansing and detoxifying properties and is very beneficial when trying to treat eye infections. Rosemary also comes highly recommended for a number of eye problems as it has strong anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to help relieve pain. Chelidonium majus and Meadow Sweet can also be used to help promote healing of the eye and to reduce pain and inflammation.
Lasik surgery
Quote From Web
My friend had Lasik, and initially (after surgery) he had diplopia. ... In another note, my daughter lives in Connecticut and she had her procedure done at ...
Question
My daughter had a Lasik surgery in december and her right eye thereafter was perfect whilst her left eye she had slight blurdness and small number .5 which the the Surgen said would be corrected on putting eye drops after three weeks there was no change then he said that the flap had to be evened out and that was done yet after month and half there is no progress of the left eye can you suggest what could be the problem and remedy or will you take up a case attended by another Surgen and help my daughter I would be obliged
if I get a suitable reply at the earliest
Quote From Web
My friend had Lasik, and initially (after surgery) he had diplopia. ... In another note, my daughter lives in Connecticut and she had her procedure done at ...
Answer
from what i can discern a -.5 diopter residual number after LASIK is not bad at all.. beyond that it is very difficult to give a long distance consultation without knowing more details or seeing the patient. iwould be happy to examine your daughter and advise you further. Our clinic is in Bombay 91 22 22078823 and our website is www.acuvis.com
blindness from catarac surgery
Quote From Web
Oct 1, 2007 ... Overall, less than 5% of people develop a serious complication after cataract surgery. The risk of blindness after surgery is very low. ...
Question
My dad had catarac surgery on Feb. 4th. The patch was taken off on Friday and he is completely blind. No shawdows, just blackness. The doctor thinks its swelling. Is this something that sometimes happens? How long does it last. I know that they gave him some drops.
Can you answer my question?
Thank you!!
COlette Judy
Quote From Web
Dec 16, 2008 ... Blindness affects about 45 million people worldwide, and more than ... blindness · cataract surgery · london school of hygiene and tropical ...
Answer
Dear Colete Judy
normally immediately aftercataract surgery patients can see well within 48-72 hours but if there is some swelling due to surgery it takes time for vision to recover maybe taking 2-3 weeks for swelling to settle but it depends on what type of swelling in cornea or retina so kindly ask your ophthlamlologist what type of swelling and then reveret back to me
thanking you
personal regards
dr.manu C.Rajnani
New Jersey Likely Next to Legalize Medical Marijuana
New Jersey Likely Next to Legalize Medical Marijuana
By SUZANNE SATALINE
New Jersey is poised to become the next state to allow residents to use marijuana, when recommended by a doctor, for relief from serious diseases and medical conditions.
The state Senate has approved the bill and the state Assembly is expected to follow. The legislation would then head to the governor's office for his signature.
Gov. Jon Corzine, the Democrat who lost his re-election bid this month, has indicated he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk before he leaves office in January. It would likely be one of Mr. Corzine's last acts before relinquishing the job to Republican Chris Christie.
Mr. Christie has indicated he would be supportive of such legislation, but had concerns that one draft of a bill he read didn't have enough restrictions, a spokeswoman said.
The bill has been endorsed by the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians and the New Jersey State Nurses Association.
Some lawmakers oppose the legislation, saying they fear the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries, as in California, where medical marijuana is legal. "It sends a mixed message to our children if you can walk down the street and see pot shops," said Republican Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini.
Federal law bars the use of marijuana. But legislatures in several states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont, permit use of the drug for medical purposes. Attorney General Eric Holder said earlier this year that federal prosecutors wouldn't prosecute people complying with state medical marijuana laws.
The New Jersey bill would allow people with debilitating medical conditions to grow, possess and use marijuana for personal use, provided that a physician allows it after completing a full assessment of the patient's history and condition. The conditions that are stipulated in the Senate bill include cancer, glaucoma and human immunodeficiency viruses.
State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, a Democrat who has led the fight for the medical-marijuana bill, said that was not a final list. He said the Senate bill would have to be reconciled with whatever the Assembly might pass.
Support for the legislation stems partly from sympathy for the plight of John Ray Wilson, a New Jersey resident who suffers from multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Mr. Wilson is scheduled to go on trial in December on felony drug charges, including operating a drug-production facility and manufacturing drugs. State police said they found 17 mature marijuana plants growing alongside his home in 2008. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Superior Court judge who will oversee the case has barred Mr. Wilson from explaining to the jury that he uses marijuana for his multiple sclerosis instead of more conventional medicines, which he said he can't afford, since he has no medical insurance.
If convicted, Mr. Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison. "It definitely helps for pain," Mr. Wilson said. "Stress can bring MS on. And I'm definitely under some stress."
David Wald, a spokesman for the state attorney general, which is arguing the state's position, said: "We're prosecuting the law."
At least two lawmakers, including Mr. Scutari, have asked Mr. Corzine to pardon Mr. Wilson. "I think it's unfair," said Mr. Scutari. "To try to incarcerate him for years and years doesn't serve a good government function."
The governor's office said it wouldn't comment on pardons involving an ongoing case.
Mr. Wilson's case hasn't persuaded Ms. Angelini, who voted against it in the health committee. As the executive director of Prevention First, an antidrug and antiviolence nonprofit, she said she was concerned that the bill would open the door for more liberal drug policies.
"If the drug laws are lax," she said, "that can open it up to eventual drug legalization."
By SUZANNE SATALINE
New Jersey is poised to become the next state to allow residents to use marijuana, when recommended by a doctor, for relief from serious diseases and medical conditions.
The state Senate has approved the bill and the state Assembly is expected to follow. The legislation would then head to the governor's office for his signature.
Gov. Jon Corzine, the Democrat who lost his re-election bid this month, has indicated he would sign the bill if it reaches his desk before he leaves office in January. It would likely be one of Mr. Corzine's last acts before relinquishing the job to Republican Chris Christie.
Mr. Christie has indicated he would be supportive of such legislation, but had concerns that one draft of a bill he read didn't have enough restrictions, a spokeswoman said.
The bill has been endorsed by the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians and the New Jersey State Nurses Association.
Some lawmakers oppose the legislation, saying they fear the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries, as in California, where medical marijuana is legal. "It sends a mixed message to our children if you can walk down the street and see pot shops," said Republican Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini.
Federal law bars the use of marijuana. But legislatures in several states, including California, Colorado, Michigan, New Mexico, Rhode Island and Vermont, permit use of the drug for medical purposes. Attorney General Eric Holder said earlier this year that federal prosecutors wouldn't prosecute people complying with state medical marijuana laws.
The New Jersey bill would allow people with debilitating medical conditions to grow, possess and use marijuana for personal use, provided that a physician allows it after completing a full assessment of the patient's history and condition. The conditions that are stipulated in the Senate bill include cancer, glaucoma and human immunodeficiency viruses.
State Sen. Nicholas Scutari, a Democrat who has led the fight for the medical-marijuana bill, said that was not a final list. He said the Senate bill would have to be reconciled with whatever the Assembly might pass.
Support for the legislation stems partly from sympathy for the plight of John Ray Wilson, a New Jersey resident who suffers from multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Mr. Wilson is scheduled to go on trial in December on felony drug charges, including operating a drug-production facility and manufacturing drugs. State police said they found 17 mature marijuana plants growing alongside his home in 2008. He has pleaded not guilty.
The Superior Court judge who will oversee the case has barred Mr. Wilson from explaining to the jury that he uses marijuana for his multiple sclerosis instead of more conventional medicines, which he said he can't afford, since he has no medical insurance.
If convicted, Mr. Wilson faces up to 20 years in prison. "It definitely helps for pain," Mr. Wilson said. "Stress can bring MS on. And I'm definitely under some stress."
David Wald, a spokesman for the state attorney general, which is arguing the state's position, said: "We're prosecuting the law."
At least two lawmakers, including Mr. Scutari, have asked Mr. Corzine to pardon Mr. Wilson. "I think it's unfair," said Mr. Scutari. "To try to incarcerate him for years and years doesn't serve a good government function."
The governor's office said it wouldn't comment on pardons involving an ongoing case.
Mr. Wilson's case hasn't persuaded Ms. Angelini, who voted against it in the health committee. As the executive director of Prevention First, an antidrug and antiviolence nonprofit, she said she was concerned that the bill would open the door for more liberal drug policies.
"If the drug laws are lax," she said, "that can open it up to eventual drug legalization."
Glaucoma
Glaucoma - an eye disease, the main feature of which is to increase the intraocular pressure. For various reasons, mostly due to vascular and neurovascular disorders, the circulation of fluid in the eye is broken, deteriorating its outflow. This, in turn, leads to the accumulation of intraocular fluid and the rise of intraocular pressure. First person just sees worse, then disrupted peripheral vision, then reduced the field of view ... which resulted in total blindness.
There are acute and chronic glaucoma. In acute onset of illness the patient complains of severe pain in the eyeball, headache, dizziness. Sometimes nausea and vomiting, general weakness, fatigue. Eye almost does not feel anything and does not see. Seizures may recur with varying frequency and intensity. In a sharp attack on the ability to call "ambulance" because there is a real danger of blindness. Before the arrival of the doctor drink painkillers and diuretics.
In the chronic form of glaucoma all the symptoms of smooth and less pronounced. Early signs of developing glaucoma - the appearance when looking at lights seemingly glowing circles around these sources, the contours of objects seen by the considered fuzzy, heavy-headedness in the mornings, often sudden tearing, light pain in the eye, around the eyes and in the corresponding half of the head or dull pain the forehead, temple, which take place within 5-10 minutes, the periodic appearance of haze before his eyes. Patients with glaucoma can not wear sunglasses, you can not take medication, atropine and medications containing belladonna, because they can raise the intraocular pressure. Some doctors believe that the heightened sensitivity to food allergens can cause glaucoma. Sometimes, after getting rid of allergy patients recovered from glaucoma.
Glaucoma patients have largely limited themselves. Must renounce alcohol (especially beer dangerous!), Smoking and significantly reduce the physical load (the slightest tug of glaucoma can provoke an attack). Walking, swimming, skiing, but slowly. Power load and slope strictly prohibited! Reading, working with the papers - only in bright light. Before the TV can hold no more than two consecutive hours, the computer - and even less. And the worst - a sharp change of illumination, such as outbreaks of color music, the white screen in a dark movie theater, etc.
The basis of the diet - vegetable products, except those that cause excessive gas formation in the stomach and intestine (cabbage, beans, yeast bread, etc.). Eat less meat, to prefer seafood.
Be sure to pay attention to the work of the kidneys. If the liquid is retained in the body, glaucoma is much greater. So take a diuretic and cleaning kidneys decoctions and infusions.
Ophthalmologists say that the green color is very effective at reducing eye pressure, so wear sunglasses with green lenses and wear them as often as possible. In the summer more often and longer wander in the green forest.
When glaucoma is important to comply with doctor's prescription. But the treatment will be much more effective if you combine his checked-nmi people's means.
Treatment popular means of glaucoma
♦ grate or pass through a meat grinder overcome purely washed fresh roots of celery. Juice take 2 tsp. 3 times a day for 30 minutes before meals. Course of treatment for a month in spring and autumn.
♦ pour in half-liter bottle glass cankerberry fill the brim with vodka, insist during the week. Take 2 times a day for 3-5 drops, dissolving them in 1 tbsp. l. water. Course of treatment - for a month in spring and autumn.
♦ 1 tsp. chicory (powder or herbs), pour a glass of boiled water and insist 5-10 minutes. It is better to drink brewed chicory fasting. Course of treatment - for a month in spring and autumn.
♦ Eating cranberries and juice from the berries beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma.
♦ When glaucoma drink the infusion of a mixture of herbs: Oregano - 35 g herb mistletoe white-35, Cocklebur usual - 30 g, and 1 / 3 cup 3 times daily after meals. To prepare the infusions take 2-3 tbsp. l. mixture, pour into a thermos bottle 1 / 2 liters of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours, drain.
♦ ginger, cinnamon, licorice root, grass motherwort, buckwheat flowers, lemon balm - to take in equal amounts (by 1 tbsp. L.) And mix well. 1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water, leave 1 hour, filter. Take 1 / 2 cup 3 times a day for treatment - and for the prevention of disease.
♦ Take vitamin B6 from 50 to 75 mg per day. Proved that vitamin Wb regulates intraocular pressure.
♦ It is established that a lack of vitamin C causes an increase in intraocular pressure, which is the first step towards the development of the disease. For people prone to glaucoma and affected by it, the daily dose of vitamin C should be not less than 5 g.
♦ For the prevention of glaucoma before going to bed rub the upper eyelids, honey, diluted with water 1:1.
♦ There are several cases of cure of glaucoma with vitamin D and calcium. Patients were given daily from 200 to 400 mg of vitamin D, and from 800 to 1200 mg of calcium.
♦ The juice of celandine herbs mixed in equal parts with water. Moisten a piece of tissue and applying to the affected eye 2 times a day with cataract and glaucoma (but not during the attack).
♦ The composition is prepared from plants collected in May: gruel nettle - 1 / 2 glasses, pounded petals lily of the valley - 1 tsp. mixed with 1 tbsp. l. water, leave for a dark place for 9 hours, add 1 / 2 tsp. baking soda. The resulting mass of applying to the eyes 2 times a day for 2 hours.
♦ At the beginning of the attack do acupressure point located between the thumb and forefinger. Massage done in three minutes on both hands.
♦ Blueberries, taken in any form 2-3 times per day, prevents attacks of glaucoma and improve vision.
♦ Drinking on an empty stomach, before dinner and before bedtime for 1 glass of water with dissolved therein 0.2 g mumiyo. Course of treatment - 20 days.
♦ well-washed aloe leaves, finely cut and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours, drain and rinse the eyes of these infusion. The procedure is performed 2-3 times per day.
♦ Mix 1 tbsp. l. Dandelion juice, 1 / 2 tbsp. l. juice, onion, 1 tbsp. l. honey. Insist mixture of 3 hours in a dark place. The resulting mixture was instilled into the eye of 2 drops 2-3 times a day. Each day, prepare a fresh composition.
♦ Mix 1 / 2 cup of nettle, 1 tsp. flowers lily of the valley. Cover with a glass of cold water collection, to insist in a dark place 9 hours, then add 1 / 2 tsp. baking soda. Because of the mix to make a compress on the eyes 2 times a day for 15-20 minutes.
♦ Pharmacy infusion dill syrup mixed with honey 1:1, for 2 hours and instilled in the eye of 2 drops 2 times a day.
♦ Take 2 tbsp. l. fennel seeds, grind them in a mortar, to fill the thermos, pour two cups of boiling water. Draw for 40 minutes, potsedit. Drink 1 / 2 cup 30 minutes before meals 3-5 times a day.
♦ 1 tbsp. l. fruits of caraway pour a glass of water, boil for 3-5 minutes. Add to broth 1 tsp. flowers of cornflower and filter through cotton, drip into the eyes of 1-2 drops 1-2 times a day.
♦ Mix diced 200 g carrots, 100 g of beet, 150 g of celery, 100 g cucumber, 50 g of parsley. Mixed vegetables pass through the juicer, drink the juice squeezed in during the day.
♦ Mix 1 / 2 cup blueberries and 1 / 2 cup of honey. Keep "sweet medicine" in the fridge and eat in a day for 1-2 art. l.
♦ When glaucoma and cataract take a fresh, preferably with a dark shell, the egg from a hen with a rooster, to put it on the table for two days. Then cook it on low heat for 1 hour. Ost-; dit, carefully cleaned to avoid damaging the protein, cut in half, remove the yolk, and fill the holes floral honey. Leave for a day. Resulting vodichku pour into the bottle to bury the morning and evening to 2 drops in each eye. Store in refrigerator. Before you dig, substitute the hand under the tap and 40-fold drop in the water, eyes open.
♦ When glaucoma taking tincture of Rhodiola rosea. , This potion is used successfully and with the visually impaired. | 20 g roots of Rhodiola rosea insist in 1 / 2 liters of well treated vodka in a dark place at room temperature for two weeks. After this filter. The remaining roots re-inject a new dose of vodka (1 / 2 liters) and insist in a dark place at room temperature for three weeks, strain. The first infusion ingest to 5 drops 3 times
day for two weeks. Then make a week-long break, then take another two weeks infusion of 5 drops 3 times a day. And again - week break, after which the same scheme to take the second infusion, but 10 drops. Take tincture rhodiola recommended one hour after eating. Drops can be diluted with a small amount of water.
♦ Who has elevated eye pressure should be, along with taking rhodiola rosea inside perform light massage eyeballs forefingers. The left index finger on his right eye (eyes closed) near the nose rhythmically moves the eyeball to the right temple and right index finger presses down the middle, as it were, inside, under the upper eyelid, - left-right, left-right (same as - with his left eye but vice versa). Make from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
♦ If there is an opportunity to acquire high-quality clay, then dissolve 2 tbsp. l. one glass of warm water, let stand 3-5 minutes, and slight movements in clockwise and counter-spend this water of fingertips on closed eyes. Make 1 minute 2-3 times per day, do not rinse. If the clay enough to make the application in a layer of 1 cm is necessary to bring the clay until creamy state. Keep the eyes for 3-5 minutes, then wash off.
♦ BA Bolotov with glaucoma recommends one or two times a week to take a hot bath, warming it for 10-15 minutes.
And then in the eye with high blood pressure to fall asleep fine salt, taken at the tip of a knife. Will be greatly pinch, you suffer. Will the process of tearing and "vypotevaniya" excess fluid from the eyeball. 2.3 Having made such arrangements, it is necessary to measure eye pressure. In general, under increased pressure to carry out oxidative rate of the overall methodology, as well as glaucoma develops in alkalotherapy and, accordingly, thickening the blood. It should cook and drink with no rules, but at the request of the enzyme in fruits of black rowan: 1 / 2 cup of fruit, 3 liters of water, 1 / 2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. sour cream - all mixed up, insist 2 weeks, tying the neck of dishes with gauze.
There are acute and chronic glaucoma. In acute onset of illness the patient complains of severe pain in the eyeball, headache, dizziness. Sometimes nausea and vomiting, general weakness, fatigue. Eye almost does not feel anything and does not see. Seizures may recur with varying frequency and intensity. In a sharp attack on the ability to call "ambulance" because there is a real danger of blindness. Before the arrival of the doctor drink painkillers and diuretics.
In the chronic form of glaucoma all the symptoms of smooth and less pronounced. Early signs of developing glaucoma - the appearance when looking at lights seemingly glowing circles around these sources, the contours of objects seen by the considered fuzzy, heavy-headedness in the mornings, often sudden tearing, light pain in the eye, around the eyes and in the corresponding half of the head or dull pain the forehead, temple, which take place within 5-10 minutes, the periodic appearance of haze before his eyes. Patients with glaucoma can not wear sunglasses, you can not take medication, atropine and medications containing belladonna, because they can raise the intraocular pressure. Some doctors believe that the heightened sensitivity to food allergens can cause glaucoma. Sometimes, after getting rid of allergy patients recovered from glaucoma.
Glaucoma patients have largely limited themselves. Must renounce alcohol (especially beer dangerous!), Smoking and significantly reduce the physical load (the slightest tug of glaucoma can provoke an attack). Walking, swimming, skiing, but slowly. Power load and slope strictly prohibited! Reading, working with the papers - only in bright light. Before the TV can hold no more than two consecutive hours, the computer - and even less. And the worst - a sharp change of illumination, such as outbreaks of color music, the white screen in a dark movie theater, etc.
The basis of the diet - vegetable products, except those that cause excessive gas formation in the stomach and intestine (cabbage, beans, yeast bread, etc.). Eat less meat, to prefer seafood.
Be sure to pay attention to the work of the kidneys. If the liquid is retained in the body, glaucoma is much greater. So take a diuretic and cleaning kidneys decoctions and infusions.
Ophthalmologists say that the green color is very effective at reducing eye pressure, so wear sunglasses with green lenses and wear them as often as possible. In the summer more often and longer wander in the green forest.
When glaucoma is important to comply with doctor's prescription. But the treatment will be much more effective if you combine his checked-nmi people's means.
Treatment popular means of glaucoma
♦ grate or pass through a meat grinder overcome purely washed fresh roots of celery. Juice take 2 tsp. 3 times a day for 30 minutes before meals. Course of treatment for a month in spring and autumn.
♦ pour in half-liter bottle glass cankerberry fill the brim with vodka, insist during the week. Take 2 times a day for 3-5 drops, dissolving them in 1 tbsp. l. water. Course of treatment - for a month in spring and autumn.
♦ 1 tsp. chicory (powder or herbs), pour a glass of boiled water and insist 5-10 minutes. It is better to drink brewed chicory fasting. Course of treatment - for a month in spring and autumn.
♦ Eating cranberries and juice from the berries beneficial in the treatment of glaucoma.
♦ When glaucoma drink the infusion of a mixture of herbs: Oregano - 35 g herb mistletoe white-35, Cocklebur usual - 30 g, and 1 / 3 cup 3 times daily after meals. To prepare the infusions take 2-3 tbsp. l. mixture, pour into a thermos bottle 1 / 2 liters of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours, drain.
♦ ginger, cinnamon, licorice root, grass motherwort, buckwheat flowers, lemon balm - to take in equal amounts (by 1 tbsp. L.) And mix well. 1 tbsp. l. pour a glass of boiling water, leave 1 hour, filter. Take 1 / 2 cup 3 times a day for treatment - and for the prevention of disease.
♦ Take vitamin B6 from 50 to 75 mg per day. Proved that vitamin Wb regulates intraocular pressure.
♦ It is established that a lack of vitamin C causes an increase in intraocular pressure, which is the first step towards the development of the disease. For people prone to glaucoma and affected by it, the daily dose of vitamin C should be not less than 5 g.
♦ For the prevention of glaucoma before going to bed rub the upper eyelids, honey, diluted with water 1:1.
♦ There are several cases of cure of glaucoma with vitamin D and calcium. Patients were given daily from 200 to 400 mg of vitamin D, and from 800 to 1200 mg of calcium.
♦ The juice of celandine herbs mixed in equal parts with water. Moisten a piece of tissue and applying to the affected eye 2 times a day with cataract and glaucoma (but not during the attack).
♦ The composition is prepared from plants collected in May: gruel nettle - 1 / 2 glasses, pounded petals lily of the valley - 1 tsp. mixed with 1 tbsp. l. water, leave for a dark place for 9 hours, add 1 / 2 tsp. baking soda. The resulting mass of applying to the eyes 2 times a day for 2 hours.
♦ At the beginning of the attack do acupressure point located between the thumb and forefinger. Massage done in three minutes on both hands.
♦ Blueberries, taken in any form 2-3 times per day, prevents attacks of glaucoma and improve vision.
♦ Drinking on an empty stomach, before dinner and before bedtime for 1 glass of water with dissolved therein 0.2 g mumiyo. Course of treatment - 20 days.
♦ well-washed aloe leaves, finely cut and pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 2-3 hours, drain and rinse the eyes of these infusion. The procedure is performed 2-3 times per day.
♦ Mix 1 tbsp. l. Dandelion juice, 1 / 2 tbsp. l. juice, onion, 1 tbsp. l. honey. Insist mixture of 3 hours in a dark place. The resulting mixture was instilled into the eye of 2 drops 2-3 times a day. Each day, prepare a fresh composition.
♦ Mix 1 / 2 cup of nettle, 1 tsp. flowers lily of the valley. Cover with a glass of cold water collection, to insist in a dark place 9 hours, then add 1 / 2 tsp. baking soda. Because of the mix to make a compress on the eyes 2 times a day for 15-20 minutes.
♦ Pharmacy infusion dill syrup mixed with honey 1:1, for 2 hours and instilled in the eye of 2 drops 2 times a day.
♦ Take 2 tbsp. l. fennel seeds, grind them in a mortar, to fill the thermos, pour two cups of boiling water. Draw for 40 minutes, potsedit. Drink 1 / 2 cup 30 minutes before meals 3-5 times a day.
♦ 1 tbsp. l. fruits of caraway pour a glass of water, boil for 3-5 minutes. Add to broth 1 tsp. flowers of cornflower and filter through cotton, drip into the eyes of 1-2 drops 1-2 times a day.
♦ Mix diced 200 g carrots, 100 g of beet, 150 g of celery, 100 g cucumber, 50 g of parsley. Mixed vegetables pass through the juicer, drink the juice squeezed in during the day.
♦ Mix 1 / 2 cup blueberries and 1 / 2 cup of honey. Keep "sweet medicine" in the fridge and eat in a day for 1-2 art. l.
♦ When glaucoma and cataract take a fresh, preferably with a dark shell, the egg from a hen with a rooster, to put it on the table for two days. Then cook it on low heat for 1 hour. Ost-; dit, carefully cleaned to avoid damaging the protein, cut in half, remove the yolk, and fill the holes floral honey. Leave for a day. Resulting vodichku pour into the bottle to bury the morning and evening to 2 drops in each eye. Store in refrigerator. Before you dig, substitute the hand under the tap and 40-fold drop in the water, eyes open.
♦ When glaucoma taking tincture of Rhodiola rosea. , This potion is used successfully and with the visually impaired. | 20 g roots of Rhodiola rosea insist in 1 / 2 liters of well treated vodka in a dark place at room temperature for two weeks. After this filter. The remaining roots re-inject a new dose of vodka (1 / 2 liters) and insist in a dark place at room temperature for three weeks, strain. The first infusion ingest to 5 drops 3 times
day for two weeks. Then make a week-long break, then take another two weeks infusion of 5 drops 3 times a day. And again - week break, after which the same scheme to take the second infusion, but 10 drops. Take tincture rhodiola recommended one hour after eating. Drops can be diluted with a small amount of water.
♦ Who has elevated eye pressure should be, along with taking rhodiola rosea inside perform light massage eyeballs forefingers. The left index finger on his right eye (eyes closed) near the nose rhythmically moves the eyeball to the right temple and right index finger presses down the middle, as it were, inside, under the upper eyelid, - left-right, left-right (same as - with his left eye but vice versa). Make from 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
♦ If there is an opportunity to acquire high-quality clay, then dissolve 2 tbsp. l. one glass of warm water, let stand 3-5 minutes, and slight movements in clockwise and counter-spend this water of fingertips on closed eyes. Make 1 minute 2-3 times per day, do not rinse. If the clay enough to make the application in a layer of 1 cm is necessary to bring the clay until creamy state. Keep the eyes for 3-5 minutes, then wash off.
♦ BA Bolotov with glaucoma recommends one or two times a week to take a hot bath, warming it for 10-15 minutes.
And then in the eye with high blood pressure to fall asleep fine salt, taken at the tip of a knife. Will be greatly pinch, you suffer. Will the process of tearing and "vypotevaniya" excess fluid from the eyeball. 2.3 Having made such arrangements, it is necessary to measure eye pressure. In general, under increased pressure to carry out oxidative rate of the overall methodology, as well as glaucoma develops in alkalotherapy and, accordingly, thickening the blood. It should cook and drink with no rules, but at the request of the enzyme in fruits of black rowan: 1 / 2 cup of fruit, 3 liters of water, 1 / 2 cup sugar, 1 tsp. sour cream - all mixed up, insist 2 weeks, tying the neck of dishes with gauze.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Is using eye drops for dry eye safe?
Question:
My mother has diabetes and I just got her Refresh tears eye drops, can she use it safely without any problems?
Thanks for help
Answer:
People with diabetes tend to get dry eyes even more often than non-diabetics. The best treatment is eye drops to keep the eyes lubricated.
Also,you have to be really careful that your eye drops aren't too old. Old
eye drops can have contamination and land you in the ER.
My mother has diabetes and I just got her Refresh tears eye drops, can she use it safely without any problems?
Thanks for help
Answer:
People with diabetes tend to get dry eyes even more often than non-diabetics. The best treatment is eye drops to keep the eyes lubricated.
Also,you have to be really careful that your eye drops aren't too old. Old
eye drops can have contamination and land you in the ER.
Eye drops for blurry vision
Question:
Eye drops for blurry vision from too much computer watching
Anyone try any eye drops specific for blurry vision from looking at the computer all day... i found were "blur relief" and "similasan computer drops" too much time reading cpf my eyes are hurting , hard to drive at night.
Answer:
The Similasan drops for dry eye and cataracts have had immediate and noticeable results.
His visual acutiy has improved 100% so I have to say their products seem effective.
Answer:
Visine works well, I use the one called workplace but I have no idea how much difference does it have from the regular ones.
Eye drops for blurry vision from too much computer watching
Anyone try any eye drops specific for blurry vision from looking at the computer all day... i found were "blur relief" and "similasan computer drops" too much time reading cpf my eyes are hurting , hard to drive at night.
Answer:
The Similasan drops for dry eye and cataracts have had immediate and noticeable results.
His visual acutiy has improved 100% so I have to say their products seem effective.
Answer:
Visine works well, I use the one called workplace but I have no idea how much difference does it have from the regular ones.
A Blind Spot In My Vision -
Question
I have a family history of glaucoma, but I haven't had any tests come back positive for me. However, I've recently noticed that when I run at night in my attempts to stay in shape, after a short while I get "blind spots" which look like I've looked at a really bright light and burned my retina in my vision. One is visibly shaped like a B and the other is just round. Every night when I run, they appear and always the same shape. They disappear shortly after I stop running.
Is this due to the increased blood pressure or could this be a symptom that my pressure is increasing in my eye and I should get another test done. It's really odd but a little disconcerting.
Answer
most likely not related to eye pressure. much, much more likely IMO to be related to blood pressure changes when running (low blood pressure or high blood pressure)
I have a family history of glaucoma, but I haven't had any tests come back positive for me. However, I've recently noticed that when I run at night in my attempts to stay in shape, after a short while I get "blind spots" which look like I've looked at a really bright light and burned my retina in my vision. One is visibly shaped like a B and the other is just round. Every night when I run, they appear and always the same shape. They disappear shortly after I stop running.
Is this due to the increased blood pressure or could this be a symptom that my pressure is increasing in my eye and I should get another test done. It's really odd but a little disconcerting.
Answer
most likely not related to eye pressure. much, much more likely IMO to be related to blood pressure changes when running (low blood pressure or high blood pressure)
Axenfeld Reigers Syndrome
Question:
I would like to talk with the mom who responded to my posting in regards to her daughter being diagnosed with Axenfeld Reigers syndrome at age 17. I just read her posting today 5/31/06. Since my daughter was just recently diagnosed and is only 5 months old it would be so helpful to find out what your daughter may have experienced growing up. Please respond if you read this email.
Hope to get a response,
Lisa
Answer:
My daughter is 17 and we just found out about a year and half ago that she has glaucoma. After trying several medications and treatments we were sent to a specialist and about a week ago found out that she has axenfeld-riegers syndrome. A week later she is schedule for surgery in both eyes. I didnot know about this but she has had symptoms all her life i was just told by doctors that the ambilical hernia was normal. That the teeth deformation was hereditary and was just a fluke. That the bad eye sight was something that just happened. I wished I knew then what i knew now . Maybe my daughter would not be having 95% nerve damage in one eye and 85% in the other. The wonderful doctor that has finally diagnosed my daughter is Audrey Tuberville. in Memphis, TN. She knew exactly what was wrong.
I would like to talk with the mom who responded to my posting in regards to her daughter being diagnosed with Axenfeld Reigers syndrome at age 17. I just read her posting today 5/31/06. Since my daughter was just recently diagnosed and is only 5 months old it would be so helpful to find out what your daughter may have experienced growing up. Please respond if you read this email.
Hope to get a response,
Lisa
Answer:
My daughter is 17 and we just found out about a year and half ago that she has glaucoma. After trying several medications and treatments we were sent to a specialist and about a week ago found out that she has axenfeld-riegers syndrome. A week later she is schedule for surgery in both eyes. I didnot know about this but she has had symptoms all her life i was just told by doctors that the ambilical hernia was normal. That the teeth deformation was hereditary and was just a fluke. That the bad eye sight was something that just happened. I wished I knew then what i knew now . Maybe my daughter would not be having 95% nerve damage in one eye and 85% in the other. The wonderful doctor that has finally diagnosed my daughter is Audrey Tuberville. in Memphis, TN. She knew exactly what was wrong.
"herbal" remedy:Visual field defects in glaucoma
Qustion:
Does anyone have any experience in using herbal supplements where the visual fields have actually improved? If so, what were you using? Thanks.
Answer:
ginkgo biloba is the only "herbal" remedy i can think of that is thought to possibly have "neuroprotective" qualities. no study that i know of has proven it, and whether or not it works is debatable, but it couldnt hurt.
visual fields dont usually improve no matter what you're using. the medications we Rx for glaucoma are to stop the progression of visual field loss...they never "recover" previously lost visual fields. studies show that pretty much the only way a visual field can "improve" is when the patient gets better at taking the test.
Does anyone have any experience in using herbal supplements where the visual fields have actually improved? If so, what were you using? Thanks.
Answer:
ginkgo biloba is the only "herbal" remedy i can think of that is thought to possibly have "neuroprotective" qualities. no study that i know of has proven it, and whether or not it works is debatable, but it couldnt hurt.
visual fields dont usually improve no matter what you're using. the medications we Rx for glaucoma are to stop the progression of visual field loss...they never "recover" previously lost visual fields. studies show that pretty much the only way a visual field can "improve" is when the patient gets better at taking the test.
Being nervous when taking eye pressure test
Quetion:
by rb456, Dec 23, 2006 12:00AM
Im just wondering something
If you are like really nervous when you take your eye pressure test at the eye doctor, like your heart is beating faster than it usually does because you are tense about the test, will that make your pressure readings higher than it should be? And if it does make it higher,is it a significant increase in the pressure number or is it just by a number or two?
Answer：
no studies anywhere (that i know about) have ever suggested that increased heart rate/pressure can affect an intraocular pressure reading.
by rb456, Dec 23, 2006 12:00AM
Im just wondering something
If you are like really nervous when you take your eye pressure test at the eye doctor, like your heart is beating faster than it usually does because you are tense about the test, will that make your pressure readings higher than it should be? And if it does make it higher,is it a significant increase in the pressure number or is it just by a number or two?
Answer：
no studies anywhere (that i know about) have ever suggested that increased heart rate/pressure can affect an intraocular pressure reading.
Friday, November 27, 2009
secondary glaucoma due to trauma
Ophthalmology & Optometry
Question
Hello Dr. Alpar,
One year ago I was punched twice in the eye and I didn't seek medical attention. The injury caused a chronic dull pain in that eye and a sharp pain whenever I looked up, down, to the side, or blew my nose. The eyball was red. All these symptoms lasted about two weeks. Since then, from time to time, I get a dull ache in that eye and my vision in that eye is now 20/30 when it has always been 20/20. My question is: should I worry about getting secondary glaucoma in the near future? I know that there is an increased risk for the disease after trauma but I don't know if the disease would materialize soon after the injury or decades later. Also, if the diminished visual acuity was caused by the injury, would it ever return to 20/20 on its own? Thank you
Answer
Kevin,
Three things can happen if you get punched in the eye.
1) You can get a traumatic iritis or inflammation in the eye. This can cause the iris, the colored part of the eye, to become stuck to the lens inside the eye. This in turn can cause an angle closure glaucoma. Inflammatory cells and/or red blood cells can also block the meshwork where the fluid leaves the eye, causing an inflammatory glaucoma. The pain is severe and does not go away without treatment.
2) The meshwork and the base of the iris can become dammaged. This is called "angle recession". People with traumatically recess angles can develope glaucoma decades after the injury.
3) The eyeball itself can be force back into the eye socket (orbit) and cause the thin bones that surround the eyes and sinuses to break. This is called a blowout fracture. The muscles that move the eye can be trapped in the fracture and cause double vision is certain postions of gaze. A thin section CT scan would pick up the blowout fractures. If you still have pain when you blow your nose, get a CT scan of your orbits.
I don't know why your vision is 20/30. If you damaged the retina, it probably will not return to 20/20. If the blow was severe enough, it could have caused a traumatic cataract. Some people become a little near sighted after injury and glasses will return the vision to 20/20.
See an eye doctor and get a comprehensive, dilated eye exam.
IMHO
Andrew J. Alpar, OD, FAAO
Quote From Web
Sep 25, 2002 ... Dr. Elliot Werner: Secondary glaucoma is a glaucoma due to some other identifiable eye or systemic disease, such as uveitis, trauma, ...
Question
Hello Dr. Alpar,
One year ago I was punched twice in the eye and I didn't seek medical attention. The injury caused a chronic dull pain in that eye and a sharp pain whenever I looked up, down, to the side, or blew my nose. The eyball was red. All these symptoms lasted about two weeks. Since then, from time to time, I get a dull ache in that eye and my vision in that eye is now 20/30 when it has always been 20/20. My question is: should I worry about getting secondary glaucoma in the near future? I know that there is an increased risk for the disease after trauma but I don't know if the disease would materialize soon after the injury or decades later. Also, if the diminished visual acuity was caused by the injury, would it ever return to 20/20 on its own? Thank you
Quote From Web
Jul 26, 2009 ... Neovascular glaucoma is a severe type of secondary glaucoma that can .... When the lens capsule is ruptured due to trauma or surgery the ...
Answer
Kevin,
Three things can happen if you get punched in the eye.
1) You can get a traumatic iritis or inflammation in the eye. This can cause the iris, the colored part of the eye, to become stuck to the lens inside the eye. This in turn can cause an angle closure glaucoma. Inflammatory cells and/or red blood cells can also block the meshwork where the fluid leaves the eye, causing an inflammatory glaucoma. The pain is severe and does not go away without treatment.
2) The meshwork and the base of the iris can become dammaged. This is called "angle recession". People with traumatically recess angles can develope glaucoma decades after the injury.
3) The eyeball itself can be force back into the eye socket (orbit) and cause the thin bones that surround the eyes and sinuses to break. This is called a blowout fracture. The muscles that move the eye can be trapped in the fracture and cause double vision is certain postions of gaze. A thin section CT scan would pick up the blowout fractures. If you still have pain when you blow your nose, get a CT scan of your orbits.
I don't know why your vision is 20/30. If you damaged the retina, it probably will not return to 20/20. If the blow was severe enough, it could have caused a traumatic cataract. Some people become a little near sighted after injury and glasses will return the vision to 20/20.
See an eye doctor and get a comprehensive, dilated eye exam.
IMHO
Andrew J. Alpar, OD, FAAO
blindness from catarac surgery
2009-9-16 18:54:23
Laser Eye Surgery
Question
My dad had catarac surgery on Feb. 4th. The patch was taken off on Friday and he is completely blind. No shawdows, just blackness. The doctor thinks its swelling. Is this something that sometimes happens? How long does it last. I know that they gave him some drops.
Can you answer my question?
Thank you!!
COlette Judy
Answer
Dear Colete Judy
normally immediately aftercataract surgery patients can see well within 48-72 hours but if there is some swelling due to surgery it takes time for vision to recover maybe taking 2-3 weeks for swelling to settle but it depends on what type of swelling in cornea or retina so kindly ask your ophthlamlologist what type of swelling and then reveret back to me
thanking you
personal regards
dr.manu C.Rajnani
Laser Eye Surgery
Quote From Web
Oct 1, 2007 ... Overall, less than 5% of people develop a serious complication after cataract surgery. The risk of blindness after surgery is very low. ...
Question
My dad had catarac surgery on Feb. 4th. The patch was taken off on Friday and he is completely blind. No shawdows, just blackness. The doctor thinks its swelling. Is this something that sometimes happens? How long does it last. I know that they gave him some drops.
Can you answer my question?
Thank you!!
COlette Judy
Quote From Web
Dec 16, 2008 ... Blindness affects about 45 million people worldwide, and more than ... blindness · cataract surgery · london school of hygiene and tropical ...
Answer
Dear Colete Judy
normally immediately aftercataract surgery patients can see well within 48-72 hours but if there is some swelling due to surgery it takes time for vision to recover maybe taking 2-3 weeks for swelling to settle but it depends on what type of swelling in cornea or retina so kindly ask your ophthlamlologist what type of swelling and then reveret back to me
thanking you
personal regards
dr.manu C.Rajnani
HORMONES AND THE OPTIC NERVE
Hormonal imbalances or deficiencies are not traditionally thought of
as causes of optic nerve damage. Glaucoma can certainly contribute,
however, with its increasing intraocular pressure and resultant
pressure on the optic nerve.
Damage to the optic nerve can occur when a swollen eye compresses it.
One common reason is Grave?s disease, caused by an excess of thyroid
hormones. ?When swelling occurs within the orbit, the optic nerve can
become crushed, resulting in loss of vision.?
Other disorders of the optic nerve include optic neuritis
(inflammation of the nerve), optic neuropathy (damage to the nerve),
and papilledema (pressure in or around the brain causing compression
to the nerve where it enters the eye). Neuritis can be caused by
?viral infection (especially in children), vaccination, meningitis,
syphilis, certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and
intraocular [within the eye] inflammation.? Neuropathy occurs as a
result of diminished blood supply (as in atherosclerosis or
vasculitis), certain toxins (such as lead, methanol, ethylene
glycol?antifreeze, among others), and nutritional deficiencies,
especially vitamin B12.
as causes of optic nerve damage. Glaucoma can certainly contribute,
however, with its increasing intraocular pressure and resultant
pressure on the optic nerve.
Damage to the optic nerve can occur when a swollen eye compresses it.
One common reason is Grave?s disease, caused by an excess of thyroid
hormones. ?When swelling occurs within the orbit, the optic nerve can
become crushed, resulting in loss of vision.?
Other disorders of the optic nerve include optic neuritis
(inflammation of the nerve), optic neuropathy (damage to the nerve),
and papilledema (pressure in or around the brain causing compression
to the nerve where it enters the eye). Neuritis can be caused by
?viral infection (especially in children), vaccination, meningitis,
syphilis, certain autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, and
intraocular [within the eye] inflammation.? Neuropathy occurs as a
result of diminished blood supply (as in atherosclerosis or
vasculitis), certain toxins (such as lead, methanol, ethylene
glycol?antifreeze, among others), and nutritional deficiencies,
especially vitamin B12.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Intraocular Pressure in Steroid Injections
C. Stephen Foster, M.D.
Periocular steroid injection is an effective mode of treating uveitis, mostly without inducing steroid systemic side effects. Concern about globe perforation and about efficacy have prompted some to recommend a technique first popularized by Schlagel, injecting with a long 25 gauge needle along the surface of the eyeball, superotemporal, subTenon's, after the application of a pledget of topical anesthetic, and making a "sweeping" motion with the needle after penetration into Tenon's space in order to demonstrate that the globe had not been impaled on the tip of the needle.
But patient acceptance of this style of periocular steroid injection, in our experience, is considerably less than for the technique of periocular injection with a short, 30 gauge needle through the preorbital septum just superior to the inferior orbital rim. Performed properly, elevating the globe slightly with a the nondominant index finger and also making a small sweeping motion after penetration of the septum, again to ensure that the sclera or globe has not been impaled on the tip of the 30 gauge needle, this method can be effectively employed for repeated injections, even for care of children as young as six years old.
The technique has been hypothesized by some to be less effective therapeutically and more given to steroid-induced pressures. We evaluated the intraocular pressure responses to transceptal periocular steroid injections as well as efficacy in a well-characterized, carefully followed group of patients with pars planitis. We identified 20 patients with no previous history of glaucoma, with minimal anterior chamber inflammation, and hence no need for use of topical or systemic steroids at the time of periocular injection for the active pars planitis. The patients were followed for a prolonged time, and their response to therapy (Snellan acuity, inflammation at the pars plana, and cystoid macular edema) as well as sequential intraocular pressure profiles were determined. The injections were given employing 40 milligrams of triamcinolone acetonide mixed with 0.5 of 2% lidocine without epinephrine. The injections were administered in the manner described above.
The average age of the patients was 31.7 years (range 11.68). Twelve patients received a single injection and 8 received a second injection over the three month period following the first injection. Three of the patients had received a prior injection of steroid before being included in this trial.
The mean increase in intraocular pressure at two weeks following injection was 1.1 mm Hg at six weeks post injection the mean IOP increase was 1.3 mm Hg. At three months post injection there was an average reduction in IOP of 0.3 mm Hg.
The Snellen acuity improved an average of 2.1 lines at the six week and three month visits. Seventy-nine percent of the patients had achieved visual acuity of 20/40 or better, and this maintained at the three month follow-up visit as well; the improved acuity was secondary to reduction in cystoid macular edema.
We conclude that the anterior transceptal route of administering periocular steroid in patients with intermediate uveitis showing no propensity for IOP elevations from past steroid use is both safe and effective, without evidence of a significant risk of provoking elevations in intraocular pressure, unlike several reports of this complication following the posterior subTenon's route of administration.
Ahmed Valve Implantation in the Management of Uveitic Glaucoma
C. Stephen Foster, M.D.
We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Ahmed valve implantation for the management of glaucoma associated with chronic uveitis in a retrospective cohort outcome study. Nineteen patients (21 eyes) with chronic uveitis underwent Ahmed valve implantation for uncontrolled glaucoma between 1995 and 1998. All patients had their uveitis controlled pre-operatively via immunomodulatory therapy. Ahmed valve implantation was performed, and immunosuppressive chemotherapy was continued in the early postoperative period for strict control of inflammation.
Our main outcome measures were control of intraocular pressure, with a secondary outcome measure being the number of anti-glaucoma medications required to achieve the desired intraocular pressure. Visual acuity and complications associated with the surgery were monitored.
The postoperative follow-up averaged 24.5 months. At the most recent visit all 21 eyes had intraocular pressures between 5 and 18 mm Hg. The average pressure reduction after Ahmed valve implantation was 23.7 mm Hg. The average number of anti-glaucoma medications required to achieve the desired intraocular pressure was reduced from 3.5 preoperatively to 0.6 postoperatively. No eye lost even a single line of Snellen acuity at the most recent postoperative visit. Two eyes developed hypotony in the course of follow-up, one resolved without specific intervention, and the other required autologous blood injections and tube ligature to correct the hypotony. One eye underwent Ahmed valve replacement for abrupt valve failure. Two eyes underwent penetrating keratoplasty for reasons believed to be unrelated to the glaucoma surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: Ahmed valve implantation can be an effective modality in the management of uveitic glaucoma. We attribute much of the success rate to our intolerance for inflammation, and aggressive perioperative immunosuppression.
Secondary Glaucoma
Secondary Glaucoma
C. Stephen Foster, M.D.
Secondary glaucoma (SG) associated with uveitis is a challenging condition to manage, often with a frustrating outcome.1 This problem has not been extensively addressed in the literature, and it seemed to us that it might be an under-appreciated yet important cause of vision loss in the population of patients with uveitis.
Our study of 1,254 patients with uveitis disclosed that nearly 10% had glaucoma as an additional vision-robbing feature of their disease, adding yet another dimension to the difficulties already posed by the inflammatory insult to the macula. Our data were similar to prior reports of the prevalence of glaucoma associated with selected specific uveitic entities.2-12 The prevalence has been especially alarming in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis-associated uveitis. The prevalence in our JRA patients was not as high as that published in some prior studies, perhaps because of our philosophy of intolerance to chronic, even "low grade" inflammation and to chronic steroid use.
Chronic granulomatous anterior uveitis was the most frequent uveitis classification associated with SG in our patients, and in previous reports.13,14 But SG was common in posterior and panuveitis and also was found in patients with pars planitis.
The most common presentation of SG was open angle (80% of the eyes). As mechanical blockage of the trabecular meshwork is usually a transient condition that responds to anti-inflammatory therapy,1 glaucoma could be caused by microscopic outflow dysfunction due to inflammatory proteins, debris and cells, or normal serum components that may clog the trabecular meshwork.1,15 In some specific inflammatory diseases (typically Posner-Schlossman syndrome), active substances of inflammation like prostaglandins and substance P have been implicated as causes of secondary open angle glaucoma, with important consequences for therapy. 1,4 Uveitic SG may also could be related to trabecular endothelial cell loss secondary to aggressive phagocytic activity and autolysis.16-18 Since trabecular meshwork is a part of the uveal tract, it may become directly involved in the inflammatory process (trabeculitis),19 a putative common mechanism for glaucoma in herpetic uveitis. Peripheral anterior synechiae were found in 14% of the SG affected eyes. Ultrasound biomicroscopy of the anterior segment may be used to detect alterations of angle and ciliary body structures in patients with uveitis and hazy media and may help in elucidating mechanisms of glaucoma in these patients.
Although most of SG cases were secondary to idiopathic uveitis, sarcoid and JRA-associated uveitis, a study of the relative frequency of SG per disease showed that herpes virus (simplex and zoster) associated uveitis was most likely to cause SG (23%). Previous reports showed similar rates (13-33%), addressing the importance of glaucoma for the visual outcome in these patients.4 Since chronic oral acyclovir therapy reduces the recurrence rate of uveitis in patients with HSV uveitis,20 we believe that the increasing frequency of this therapeutic strategy will lower the relative frequency of SG in herpes virus-associated uveitis populations in coming years.
SG was present in 16% of our JRA-associated uveitis patients; other authors report14 to 27%.3,8,21 (of JRA-associated iridocyclitis patients developing glaucoma.) This Is particularly troubling since this disease occurs in children and chronic inflammation that has so often been present before and after involvement of an ophthalmologist.22 Such chronic or recurrent inflammation may explain why 7 of 11 JRA-associated uveitis patients with glaucoma had uncontrolled glaucoma at the time of the data analysis.
Four patients (5 eyes) had had argon laser trabeculoplasty performed as part of their treatment. Four of the 5 eyes (80%) were therapeutic failures and trabeculectomy was then performed. In three of the 5 eyes which had ALT, ,an acute flare-up of uveitis occurred following the procedure despite pre-treatment with topical steroids. We do not advocate ALT as part of our treatment regimen in patients with uveitis related glaucoma.
This report examined patients with uveitis related secondary glaucoma seen at a tertiary referral center during a ten year period. Our surgical procedure of choice in patients with uncontrolled uveitis related glaucoma was conventional trabeculectomy until 1990. Our current procedure of choice is a mitomycin-C trabeculectomy or insertion of a drainage implant in those patients who fail medical therapy. Siegner et al recently reported on their experience with the Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant. 23 Successful outcome was achieved in 10 of the 11 patients with uveitic glaucoma following insertion of the drainage implant. Our experience has been similar (manuscript in preparation) and we believe that these newer surgical treatment modalities will be of great benefit to our uveitic glaucoma patients. But real progress in this area of uveitis-associated glaucoma will only come with the increasing recognition by ophthalmologists that total, earlier control of intraocular inflammation, employing a stepladder approach to achieve that goal is more in the overall interests of the patient than is "acceptance" of low grade chronic inflammation.
REFERENCES:
1. Yaldo M K, Lieberman M F (1993): The Management of secondary glaucoma in uveitis patients. Ophthalmol Clin N Am 6:147-57.
2. Jabs D A. Johns C J (1986): Ocular involvement in chronic sarcoidosis. Am J Ophthalmol 102:297-301.
3. Key S N III, Kimura S J (1975): Iridocyclitis associated with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Am J Ophthalmol 80:425-29.
4. Krupin T, Feiti M E (1989): Glaucoma associated with uveitis. In Ritch R, Shields M B, Krupin T (eds.) The Glaucomas. St Louis: Mosby 1205-21.
5. Falcom MG, Williams HP. Herpes simplex kerato-uveitis and glaucoma. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK. 1978;98:101-4.
6. Ohno S, Char D, Kimura S et al (1977): Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 83:735-40.
7. Lubin J, Albert D, Weinstein M (1980): Sixty five years of sympathetic ophthalmia. Ophthalmology 87:109-21.
8. Wolf M D, Lichter P R, Ragsdale C G (1987): Prognostic factors in the uveitis of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. Ophthalmology 94:1242-6.
9. Obenauf C D, Shaw HE, Sydnor C F, Klintworth G K. Sarcoidosis and its ophthalmic manifestations. Am J Ophthalmol 86:648-53.
10. Liesegang T J (1982): Clinical features and prognosis of Fuchsä uveitis syndrome. Arch Ophthalmol 100:1622-6.
11. Jones N P (1991): Glaucoma in Fuchs' heterochromic uveitis: aetiology, management and outcome. Eye 5:662-7.
12. Hey E, de Vries J, Langerhorst C T, Baarsma G S, Kijlstra A. (1993): Treatment and prognosis of secondary glaucoma in Fuchsä heterochromic iridocyclitis. Am J Ophthalmol 116:327-40.
13. Shields M B (1982): Glaucomas associated with ocular inflammation. In: A study guide for glaucoma. 295-310. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore
14. Shields M B (1989): Glaucomas associated with ocular inflammation. In: Text book of glaucoma. Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore. 110.
15. Epstein D L, Hasimoto J M, Grant W M (1978): Serum obstruction of aqueous outflow in enucleated eyes. Am J Ophthalmol 86:101-5.
16. Richardson T, Hutchinson B, Grant W M (1977): The outflow tract in pigmentary glaucoma: A light and electron microscopic study. Arch Ophthalmol 95:1015-20.
17. Rohen J, van der Zypen E (1968): The phagocytic activity of the trabecular meshwork endothelium: An electron microscopic study of the vervet (ceropithecus aethiops). Von Graefes Arch Klin Exp Ophthalmol 175:143-7.
18. Sherwood M, Richardson T (1980): Evidence for in vivo phagocytosis by trabecular endothelial cells. Invest Ophthalmol 16(suppl):66.
19. Rot M, Simmoms R (1979): Glaucoma associated with precipitates in the trabecular meshwork. Ophthalmology 86:1613-7.
20. Rodriguez A, Power W J, Neves R A, Foster C S (1995): Recurrence rate of herpetic keratouveitis in patients on long term oral acyclovir. Doc Ophthalmol 90:331-40.
21. Kanski J J, Shun-Shin G A (1984): Systemic uveitis syndromes in childhood: An analysis of 340 cases. Ophthalmology 91:1246-50.
22. Tugal-Tutkun I, Havrlikova K, Power W J, Foster C S (1996): Changing patterns of childhood uveitis. Ophthalmology 103:375-83.
23. Siegner S W, Netland P A, Urban R C Jr. et al (1995): Clinical experience with the Baerveldt glaucoma drainage implant. Ophthalmology102:1298-1307.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
glucosamine and glaucoma?
Question:
Hi, My pressure went down from 27 to 18 since I have been using Glucosamine.
I take it for joint pain but noticed it influences my eye pressure too!
Anyone else had this experience? A search on internet told me there is a correlation.
Answer:
Glucosamine is very interesting because, theoretically, it could worsen the glaucoma because it is found in high concentration in the eye drain in abnormal eyes with glaucoma.
Yet, it might lower eye pressure for reasons that are not well known.
No good proof, just yet!
Remember, correlation does not mean one thing causes another, only that the two are linked somehow.
Check out the research on circumen, from the tumeric root, and glaucoma.
That product does show potential.
Hi, My pressure went down from 27 to 18 since I have been using Glucosamine.
I take it for joint pain but noticed it influences my eye pressure too!
Anyone else had this experience? A search on internet told me there is a correlation.
Answer:
Glucosamine is very interesting because, theoretically, it could worsen the glaucoma because it is found in high concentration in the eye drain in abnormal eyes with glaucoma.
Yet, it might lower eye pressure for reasons that are not well known.
No good proof, just yet!
Remember, correlation does not mean one thing causes another, only that the two are linked somehow.
Check out the research on circumen, from the tumeric root, and glaucoma.
That product does show potential.
Natural Holistic Healing Ways for Glaucoma
Question:
Does anyone know of effective natural ways to heal glaucoma? Acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, specific mega doses of vitamins or...?
Answer:
fish bilberry and sweet potatoes and lots of grassfed butter
from now on wear 100% UVA UVB blocking sunglasses that fit snugly to head minimizing light that enters through the sides of sunglasses-see article on sunglasses
http://www.glaucoma.org/living/a_guide_to_sung.php
i found these expensive eye drops awhile back they might help Dr Z sells them:Pleo (TM) Muc 5X Eye drops
http://www.drz.org/asp/store/DetailP...?ProductID=495
Pleo Muc Eye Drops 5X, known in Germany under the name Mucokehl Eye Drops 5X. Homeopathic Opthalmic Demulcent Medicine by Sanum/PleoSanum.
European practitioners report that this remedy may be useful as supportive therapy for
* glaucoma
* cataracts
* conjunctivitis
* macular degeneration
and help support normal eye function by improving micro-circulation inside the eye.
dont give up nothing is impossible
Comparison of laser vs non-laser glaucoma treatment?
Question:
I am having unstable IOP. In addition,the preservative BAK in my eye
drops appear to be giving me trouble. I finally decided that
surgery,trabeculectomy is the way to go. My left eye suffers severe
reduction of central vision because of a central retinal vein occlusion.
The trabeculectomy is to be done on my "good" rightey to preserve its
central vision. Needless to say, this makes me nervous.
I was surprised to find out that the surgery is planned to be true
cutting rather than laser based. I was under the impression--perhaps
incorrectly--that laser treatment avoided much of the risk associated
with actual cutting. Where can I get a good comparison of the pros and
cons of laser surgery as opposed to scalpel surgery? I want to be armed
with knowledge when I ask more questions.
===============
Answer:
I have a non-surgery bias. Just how unstable is the IOP? And could
other eye drops not using BAK be tried? I am a Xalatan user and "side
effects" don't seem to be a problem. Uses BAK as I understand. What
effects are you having?
other eye drops not using BAK be tried? I am a Xalatan user and "side
effects" don't seem to be a problem. Uses BAK as I understand. What
effects are you having?
Glaucoma drop comparison?
Question:
ridiculously expensive. In particular, I have been looking at Xalatan or
Travatan. Where can I find a comparison of the relative benefits of these
new drugs compared to old generics. For example, I am already using generic
brimonidine thre times a day. Many years ago, timolol, then available only
as Timoptic worked very well indeed.
And there is always pot. I never used any before but I expect I would have
not trouble growing it. I would prefer not to smoke it. How does it get used
for glaucoma? Would it make sense to try making eye drops from it?
Answer:
>The newest eyedrops used for reducing intra-ocular pressure (IOP) seem
>ridiculously expensive.
They are (relatively) expensive.
>In particular, I have been looking at Xalatan or Travatan. Where can I
>find a comparison of the relative benefits of these new drugs compared
>to old generics.
Your eye doctor should be the best source.
>For example, I am already using generic brimonidine thre times a day.
>Many years ago, timolol, then available only as Timoptic worked very
>well indeed.
If your IOP is consistently at its "target" level, your quality of
life is acceptable and the side effects are acceptable, then there is
probably little reason to change from what you are taking.
Personally, I almost never use anything but a prostaglanding analog --
one of those "ridiculously expensive" drops -- as a "first line drug"
on my glaucoma patients. In layman's terms, "they rule" and are a
Godsend for my patients -- much like timolol was when all we basically
had was pilo and epinephrine.
>And there is always pot.
Forget pot. Its use in the management of glaucoma is nil.
>ridiculously expensive.
They are (relatively) expensive.
>In particular, I have been looking at Xalatan or Travatan. Where can I
>find a comparison of the relative benefits of these new drugs compared
>to old generics.
Your eye doctor should be the best source.
>For example, I am already using generic brimonidine thre times a day.
>Many years ago, timolol, then available only as Timoptic worked very
>well indeed.
If your IOP is consistently at its "target" level, your quality of
life is acceptable and the side effects are acceptable, then there is
probably little reason to change from what you are taking.
Personally, I almost never use anything but a prostaglanding analog --
one of those "ridiculously expensive" drops -- as a "first line drug"
on my glaucoma patients. In layman's terms, "they rule" and are a
Godsend for my patients -- much like timolol was when all we basically
had was pilo and epinephrine.
>And there is always pot.
Forget pot. Its use in the management of glaucoma is nil.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
ADHD + stimulants + glaucoma = ?
Question:
After a year and a half of university hell, I finally saw a psychiatrist and started treatment for ADHD—and, like many of you have probably experienced, it was like a giant lightbulb went on over my life.
For the first time I could listen to entire lectures, take reading notes, manage my finances, avoid constant guilt/anxiety over being chronically scattered, remember appointments, keep my apartment organized...etc.
World-changing. Then, yesterday, my pharmacist noticed that Adderall is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma, which I have.
Long story short, he called my doctor, and my doctor called me and told me to stop taking the meds—without offering any alternatives. So now I am in the MADDENING position of knowing how beautiful it is to be able to function like a normal human being...and having that all fall apart.
Now I am looking forward to...I'm not even sure.
I don't think I could stand to go back to the way I was, knowing what it feels like to be medicated.
I spent today trying to study, failing, crying out of frustration, trying again, etc.
Not pretty. So, I guess my plea for help is: if you know of any fast-acting non-stimulant treatments for ADHD, please share!
(Strattera etc. may be options but I would really like something I can start using in the next few days...graaah midterm season!) Alternatively, if anyone else out there has glaucoma and ADHD and has figured out a way to counteract the IOP-increasing effect of the stimulant meds, or found other successful treatments...please let me know!
Answer:
Talk to your eye doctor and see if he is treating patients on ADHD meds.
ADHD meds can make a hypertensives BP skyrocket (or anyones) but BP meds can be adjusted for that.
Seems the same logic may apply to glaucoma.
Your eye doctor would be able to say for sure.
He could then contact your ADHD doctor if its possible for you.
If your eye doctor has no experience in the matter seek another eye doctors advice.
Answer:
I would first consult a Ophthalmologist and see what possible problems you could have in the future.
Low dose beta-blocker is your best bet for cutting the peripheral stim effects of the adderall....keep dialogue open between you and doctor.
He should be the one looking for a solution not you. Keep us posted
Answer
Thanks for the replies, both of you!
I'm currently waiting to see a new psychiatrist (the medication incident coincided with me deciding to switch doctors, so there's about a week of downtime) so I can get a referral for an ophthalmologist and also look at other treatment options.
Not much of an update, I'm afraid.
(:
Answer:
Sansserifs, That is really rum luck about the medication.
One thing that can still be very helpful is aerobic exercise multiple times a day.
Dr. John Ratey in his book Spark and Delivered from Distraction discusses how exercise can act like a dose of Adderall and Prozac combined in increasing the levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Guys should aim for 75% or their maximum heart rate and gals for 65% for optimum focus.
Think of it a bit like short acting Ritalin -- the first hour is the golden one and the effects of improved focus can last from 2 - 4 hours depending on the person.
Even just a 10 minute burst of exercise can help the brain get back down to business.
That's definately how I got through college (back in the dark ages without medication) -- lots of running, climbing stairs, and pacing the halls.
It's especially helpful if you're getting enough Omega III fatty acids to build the neurotransmitters the exercise stimulates. Other wholistic helpers include reducing the amount of refined food which immediately turns to sugar in your system causing your insulin to spike and then drop quickly leaving your brain with less glucose (the ADD brain already battles that issue in the frontal lobes) and music can also help stimulate the brain. I hope you can find a medication that is helpful without worsening your glaucoma, but in the mean time -- go for a jog or brisk walk before those mid-terms or while studying for them -- it'll help!
Answer:
Wellbutrin might be worth a try?
It takes 3 weeks to start working, but I found it quite helpful.
Answer
First, let me start off by saying that have not tried ADHD drug bifemelane .
However, I have seen some good things about its potential use for ADHD, Parkinson's, autism, dementia, memory loss, and even some mood disorders.
It's definitely a versatile drug!
However, I also read that bifemelane has actually been suggested as a possible treatment for glaucoma . I don't know a whole lot more about this drug bifemelane at the moment, but if you are concerned about glaucoma, this sounds like something you might want to check into.
Good luck! Quote: : Alternatively, if anyone else out there has glaucoma and ADHD and has figured out a way to counteract the IOP-increasing effect of the stimulant meds, or found other successful treatments...please let me know!
Answer:
Quote: : Talk to your eye doctor and see if he is treating patients on ADHD meds.
ADHD meds can make a hypertensives BP skyrocket (or anyones) but BP meds can be adjusted for that.
Seems the same logic may apply to glaucoma.
Your eye doctor would be able to say for sure.
He could then contact your ADHD doctor if its possible for you.
If your eye doctor has no experience in the matter seek another eye doctors advice.
I just discovered how bad Adderall is for people with Glaucoma.
To be honest, I won't be going back to my doctor.
The only time her name will be coming out of my mouth is when I have the opportunity to make sure she has a bad name.
Right now I don't think I want my Glaucoma specialists talking to my doctor, shes ignorant and hes not much of a people person so that could be bad for everyone involved. Quote: : So now I am in the MADDENING position of knowing how beautiful it is to be able to function like a normal human being...and having that all fall apart.
Now I am looking forward to...I'm not even sure.
I don't think I could stand to go back to the way I was, knowing what it feels like to be medicated.
I spent today trying to study, failing, crying out of frustration, trying again, etc.
Not pretty. What a tease huh?
I know how you feel, at least your doctor gave you a call and your pharmacist noticed it.
I found out after looking at Adderall on drugs.com, I was planning out a diet and thought I'd make check to see if it said to avoid or include anything specific.
I'll be calling my Eye Doctor tomorrow for some info, probably finding a new doctor as I would recommend you do as well, and letting my previous know what I think.
I really can't beleive that the pharmicist didn't catch this, my stuff is usually filled through the techs and the one time the actual pharmicists fills mine its complete fail. I don't know what your whole take is on the situation.
I feel pretty teased, really foolish and I've really been questioning my judgement.
I've gone to this doctor for some time, she seemed ok and all that trust for her and the profession is gone.
Above all else, I have this massive amount of anger, the last 40 hours or so the smallest little frustrations have been sending me through the roof.
I'm the type of person thats usually really calm, rarely ever gets mad..
But when I do.. no one wants to be around and I'm smart enough to seperate myself from the situation.
Kind of hard in this scenerio though. Let me know what you find out, I'll post my findings as well.
Answer:
I struggle with ADHD and depression, also have glaucoma.
Does Bifemelane have a brand name.
I'd appreciate further suggestions on meds that don't up IOP.
Blindness vs. brain dead, some choice.
After a year and a half of university hell, I finally saw a psychiatrist and started treatment for ADHD—and, like many of you have probably experienced, it was like a giant lightbulb went on over my life.
For the first time I could listen to entire lectures, take reading notes, manage my finances, avoid constant guilt/anxiety over being chronically scattered, remember appointments, keep my apartment organized...etc.
World-changing. Then, yesterday, my pharmacist noticed that Adderall is contraindicated in patients with glaucoma, which I have.
Long story short, he called my doctor, and my doctor called me and told me to stop taking the meds—without offering any alternatives. So now I am in the MADDENING position of knowing how beautiful it is to be able to function like a normal human being...and having that all fall apart.
Now I am looking forward to...I'm not even sure.
I don't think I could stand to go back to the way I was, knowing what it feels like to be medicated.
I spent today trying to study, failing, crying out of frustration, trying again, etc.
Not pretty. So, I guess my plea for help is: if you know of any fast-acting non-stimulant treatments for ADHD, please share!
(Strattera etc. may be options but I would really like something I can start using in the next few days...graaah midterm season!) Alternatively, if anyone else out there has glaucoma and ADHD and has figured out a way to counteract the IOP-increasing effect of the stimulant meds, or found other successful treatments...please let me know!
Answer:
Talk to your eye doctor and see if he is treating patients on ADHD meds.
ADHD meds can make a hypertensives BP skyrocket (or anyones) but BP meds can be adjusted for that.
Seems the same logic may apply to glaucoma.
Your eye doctor would be able to say for sure.
He could then contact your ADHD doctor if its possible for you.
If your eye doctor has no experience in the matter seek another eye doctors advice.
Answer:
I would first consult a Ophthalmologist and see what possible problems you could have in the future.
Low dose beta-blocker is your best bet for cutting the peripheral stim effects of the adderall....keep dialogue open between you and doctor.
He should be the one looking for a solution not you. Keep us posted
Answer
Thanks for the replies, both of you!
I'm currently waiting to see a new psychiatrist (the medication incident coincided with me deciding to switch doctors, so there's about a week of downtime) so I can get a referral for an ophthalmologist and also look at other treatment options.
Not much of an update, I'm afraid.
(:
Answer:
Sansserifs, That is really rum luck about the medication.
One thing that can still be very helpful is aerobic exercise multiple times a day.
Dr. John Ratey in his book Spark and Delivered from Distraction discusses how exercise can act like a dose of Adderall and Prozac combined in increasing the levels of dopamine and serotonin.
Guys should aim for 75% or their maximum heart rate and gals for 65% for optimum focus.
Think of it a bit like short acting Ritalin -- the first hour is the golden one and the effects of improved focus can last from 2 - 4 hours depending on the person.
Even just a 10 minute burst of exercise can help the brain get back down to business.
That's definately how I got through college (back in the dark ages without medication) -- lots of running, climbing stairs, and pacing the halls.
It's especially helpful if you're getting enough Omega III fatty acids to build the neurotransmitters the exercise stimulates. Other wholistic helpers include reducing the amount of refined food which immediately turns to sugar in your system causing your insulin to spike and then drop quickly leaving your brain with less glucose (the ADD brain already battles that issue in the frontal lobes) and music can also help stimulate the brain. I hope you can find a medication that is helpful without worsening your glaucoma, but in the mean time -- go for a jog or brisk walk before those mid-terms or while studying for them -- it'll help!
Answer:
Wellbutrin might be worth a try?
It takes 3 weeks to start working, but I found it quite helpful.
Answer
First, let me start off by saying that have not tried ADHD drug bifemelane .
However, I have seen some good things about its potential use for ADHD, Parkinson's, autism, dementia, memory loss, and even some mood disorders.
It's definitely a versatile drug!
However, I also read that bifemelane has actually been suggested as a possible treatment for glaucoma . I don't know a whole lot more about this drug bifemelane at the moment, but if you are concerned about glaucoma, this sounds like something you might want to check into.
Good luck! Quote: : Alternatively, if anyone else out there has glaucoma and ADHD and has figured out a way to counteract the IOP-increasing effect of the stimulant meds, or found other successful treatments...please let me know!
Answer:
Quote: : Talk to your eye doctor and see if he is treating patients on ADHD meds.
ADHD meds can make a hypertensives BP skyrocket (or anyones) but BP meds can be adjusted for that.
Seems the same logic may apply to glaucoma.
Your eye doctor would be able to say for sure.
He could then contact your ADHD doctor if its possible for you.
If your eye doctor has no experience in the matter seek another eye doctors advice.
I just discovered how bad Adderall is for people with Glaucoma.
To be honest, I won't be going back to my doctor.
The only time her name will be coming out of my mouth is when I have the opportunity to make sure she has a bad name.
Right now I don't think I want my Glaucoma specialists talking to my doctor, shes ignorant and hes not much of a people person so that could be bad for everyone involved. Quote: : So now I am in the MADDENING position of knowing how beautiful it is to be able to function like a normal human being...and having that all fall apart.
Now I am looking forward to...I'm not even sure.
I don't think I could stand to go back to the way I was, knowing what it feels like to be medicated.
I spent today trying to study, failing, crying out of frustration, trying again, etc.
Not pretty. What a tease huh?
I know how you feel, at least your doctor gave you a call and your pharmacist noticed it.
I found out after looking at Adderall on drugs.com, I was planning out a diet and thought I'd make check to see if it said to avoid or include anything specific.
I'll be calling my Eye Doctor tomorrow for some info, probably finding a new doctor as I would recommend you do as well, and letting my previous know what I think.
I really can't beleive that the pharmicist didn't catch this, my stuff is usually filled through the techs and the one time the actual pharmicists fills mine its complete fail. I don't know what your whole take is on the situation.
I feel pretty teased, really foolish and I've really been questioning my judgement.
I've gone to this doctor for some time, she seemed ok and all that trust for her and the profession is gone.
Above all else, I have this massive amount of anger, the last 40 hours or so the smallest little frustrations have been sending me through the roof.
I'm the type of person thats usually really calm, rarely ever gets mad..
But when I do.. no one wants to be around and I'm smart enough to seperate myself from the situation.
Kind of hard in this scenerio though. Let me know what you find out, I'll post my findings as well.
Answer:
I struggle with ADHD and depression, also have glaucoma.
Does Bifemelane have a brand name.
I'd appreciate further suggestions on meds that don't up IOP.
Blindness vs. brain dead, some choice.
Can sinusitis/inflamation cause high IOP?
no. not usually.
there are limited number of new questions on this website per day. if you have multiple questions pertaining to the same or similar complaints, please post them in the 1 thread you already started instead of starting a new thread. this will keep others from being denied asking their question b/c the daily quota had been filled...just for future reference :)
there are limited number of new questions on this website per day. if you have multiple questions pertaining to the same or similar complaints, please post them in the 1 thread you already started instead of starting a new thread. this will keep others from being denied asking their question b/c the daily quota had been filled...just for future reference :)
Glaucoma Alternative Medicine ? - discussion in the Drugs.com community
Question
Hello folks ... This is my first post ( new herein ) I suffered from glaucoma since 2003 January looking forward to hearing remedies of natural type ... not medicinal droplets ... Thanks and cheers ... [B)][:I][?] There are no strangers in this world, only friends waiting to be met and made
Reply:
Have you already looked at glaucoma from the psychosomatic point of view?
Reply:
Marijuana is just a dried plant from the ground.
No additives, no mechanical processing, just a little smelly plant.
Eat it. Jesus Christ will help you through.
-Betsy
Hello folks ... This is my first post ( new herein ) I suffered from glaucoma since 2003 January looking forward to hearing remedies of natural type ... not medicinal droplets ... Thanks and cheers ... [B)][:I][?] There are no strangers in this world, only friends waiting to be met and made
Reply:
Have you already looked at glaucoma from the psychosomatic point of view?
Reply:
Marijuana is just a dried plant from the ground.
No additives, no mechanical processing, just a little smelly plant.
Eat it. Jesus Christ will help you through.
-Betsy
Diabetes and Glaucoma optometric pearls
Diabetes and Glaucoma optometric pearls | Optometry | Student Doctor Network
I made a blog entry about different pearls for the management of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy patients, and I thought that it would be nice to share them.
Here they are: Diabetics: Ask what the patient's last blood glucose (particularly fasting) and HbA1c were.
Ask if it has been under good control.
These numbers are super helpful with predicting the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy, or how bad it is if they have it.
Ask how long the patient has had diabetes.
It is well recorded in the literature that the longer the patient has had diabetes, the higher the risk for retinopathy.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 10% of those who had been diagnosed for less than 5 years had retinopathy, 39% for those diagnosed 5-14 yrs, and a whopping 70% for those diagnosed for more than 15 years.
Record the pertinent negatives.
What does this mean?
Basically, record the main things that we check for in the eye for diabetics: check carefully for neovascularization of the iris, disc, and elsewhere (NVI, NVD, and NVE, respectively).
Also, check for clinically significant macular edema (CSME).
In other words, if you didn't see any of these signs, record "no NVI, NVD, NVE, CSME" Glaucoma: For glaucoma patients on medication, it's important to ask specific questions about compliance;
Don't simply ask "are you good with taking your drops?".
Ask them when they last took their medication.
Also ask them how often they forget their drops, if they do at all.
These questions are important for you to determine if the IOP that you're taking is falsely high or not, or if you're wondering why there are more defects in the threshold visual field test you just took.
It is not uncommon for glaucoma patients to be poor with compliance, especially if their vision is good and there is no immediate risk to vision loss.
Remember that suspicions for glaucoma are raised with race (especially African Americans) and a history of glaucoma in the family (in addition to your optic nerve head evaluation, threshold visual fields result, etc).
Make sure to take note of these facts in your assessment.
For every diagnosis of glaucoma, it is important to do gonioscopy.
In order to truly diagnose an open angle glaucoma, you must rule out other causes of glaucoma e.g.
Pigmentary dispersion, etc.
I'd love to hear of your own optometric pearls, and they don't have to be about glaucoma or DR.
If this post gets enough replies, I'd like to make a web page full of selected pearls, with your permission and due credit of course!
Thanks in advance, your contribution would benefit many!
Correct me if anyone disagrees, but this is what I've read and also have experienced regarding glaucoma therapy: 1.
Travatan and Xalatan fall under the same mechanism of action as prostaglandin analogues, versus Lumigan, which is a prostaglandin analogue that works slightly differently.
I forget the reason, someone here may know.
Therefore, if you are currently using Travatan but it is not working well, consider switching to Lumigan instead of Xalatan, since they work the same. 2.
Lumigan tends to lower IOP better than Travatan, which lowers IOP better than Xalatan. 3.
Lumigan is usually associated with the most conjunctival hyperemia, so I don't usually start Lumigan as first line therapy.
If a patient is using another prostaglandin analogue (Travatan or Xalatan), this tends to "prep" the eye and it will not be as hyperemic after switching to Lumigan later on. 4.
Azopt tends to be the best secondary agent when combined with a Prostaglandin analogue.
This is when compared to other drops like Alphagan or a beta blocker. 5.
Alphagan (and Combigan) can cause systemic sedation.
Patients may feel "tired or sleepy" when using these eye drops.
Make sure you instruct them to do punctal occlusion after drop instillation. 6.
Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma responds best to a beta blocker, followed by Prostaglandin 7.
I've heard that IOP is highest at 2am, is this true?!? I'll update this post if I think of anything else.
This attached lecture is an excellent evidence based review of treatment options. Also, in my experience Alphagan is my preference as a secondary/additive agent.
Quote: : Correct me if anyone disagrees, but this is what I've read and also have experienced regarding glaucoma therapy: 1.
Travatan and Xalatan fall under the same mechanism of action as prostaglandin analogues, versus Lumigan, which is a prostaglandin analogue that works slightly differently.
I forget the reason, someone here may know.
Therefore, if you are currently using Travatan but it is not working well, consider switching to Lumigan instead of Xalatan, since they work the same.
Lumigan (bimatoprost) is a prostamide, and the other prostaglandin analogues are not.
A good way to remember that: bimatoprost isn't as potent, so this is why Lumigan's drug concentration is 0.03%, where the others are 0.004% (Travatan) and 0.005% (Xalatan).
Quote: : 7. I've heard that IOP is highest at 2am, is this true?!? We've been taught it is highest right before waking up, around 5-6 am for normal schedule sleepers.
So 2,5,6 am, whatever, sometime early morning Oh, and if someone for example works the night shift, their IOP peak won't be the same time, it will change based on their sleep schedule.
Quote: : Correct me if anyone disagrees, but this is what I've read and also have experienced regarding glaucoma therapy: 1.
Travatan and Xalatan fall under the same mechanism of action as prostaglandin analogues, versus Lumigan, which is a prostaglandin analogue that works slightly differently.
I forget the reason, someone here may know.
Therefore, if you are currently using Travatan but it is not working well, consider switching to Lumigan instead of Xalatan, since they work the same. 2.
Lumigan tends to lower IOP better than Travatan, which lowers IOP better than Xalatan. 3.
Lumigan is usually associated with the most conjunctival hyperemia, so I don't usually start Lumigan as first line therapy.
If a patient is using another prostaglandin analogue (Travatan or Xalatan), this tends to "prep" the eye and it will not be as hyperemic after switching to Lumigan later on. 4.
Azopt tends to be the best secondary agent when combined with a Prostaglandin analogue.
This is when compared to other drops like Alphagan or a beta blocker. 5.
Alphagan (and Combigan) can cause systemic sedation.
Patients may feel "tired or sleepy" when using these eye drops.
Make sure you instruct them to do punctal occlusion after drop instillation. 6.
Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma responds best to a beta blocker, followed by Prostaglandin 7.
I've heard that IOP is highest at 2am, is this true?!? I'll update this post if I think of anything else.
A couple of thoughts: On the prostaglandins: don't go straight for the "if the Xalatan doesn't work well, go with Travatan" try to know the reasons.
Studies are showing that Travatan works better in black patients than Xalatan. Lumigan causes less of the hyperpigmentation problems with the other 2, less headaches (as symptoms ) but will give more conj hyperemia. Also, recent, recent studies and discussions in glaucoma are moving away from "whichever lowers IOP best" when you can have a low IOP but still have NFL loss.
Some studies are recommending for newly diagnosis, use a prostaglandin to get the IOP controlled, then transfer to a Alphagan- as it is a neuroprotectant.
I encourage everyone to read new literature on neuroprotectants. Jack Kanski (love him) has listed several items of interest to prescribe: Betaxolol, Alphagan, Vit E, and Ginko Biloba.
These items have nueroprotective qualities to them, with the drugs having proved VF saving results. This explains renewed interest in some poly glaucoma drugs as they are incorporating a proven IOP lowering substane with a paired nueroprotectant. Please research this! Good luck everybody!
Quote: : courage everyone to read new literature on neuroprotectants. Jack Kanski (love him) has listed several items of interest to prescribe: Betaxolol, Alphagan, Vit E, and Ginko Biloba.
These items have nueroprotective qualities to them, with the drugs having proved VF saving results. This explains renewed interest in some poly glaucoma drugs as they are incorporating a proven IOP lowering substane with a paired nueroprotectant.
Any relevant articles on this?
My understanding is that the whole "neuroprotection" thing is still very much just speculation without any solid research behind it...
Quote: : Any relevant articles on this?
My understanding is that the whole "neuroprotection" thing is still very much just speculation without any solid research behind it...
There are about 10 years of studies done on Timolol vs Brimonidine showing that Timolol does keep the IOP lower, but visual field continues to restrict over the years, while Brimonidine does not lower IOP as much, yet visual field is preserved.
Betaxolol is also showing this preservation of the VF. This is why I said Alphagan is quickly becoming a preferred polypharmacy with a Beta Blocker or Prostaglandin. Its not a bunch of hocus pocus--- unless someone claims to know HOW this works.
That is not yet certain. I'll repost tomorrow concerning the articles for those wanting to read this info for themselves.
Quote: : There are about 10 years of studies done on Timolol vs Brimonidine showing that Timolol does keep the IOP lower, but visual field continues to restrict over the years, while Brimonidine does not lower IOP as much, yet visual field is preserved.
Betaxolol is also showing this preservation of the VF. This is why I said Alphagan is quickly becoming a preferred polypharmacy with a Beta Blocker or Prostaglandin. Its not a bunch of hocus pocus--- unless someone claims to know HOW this works.
That is not yet certain. I'll repost tomorrow concerning the articles for those wanting to read this info for themselves.
I agree, brimonidine is my preferred agent for adjunctive therapy, but I think they're still plenty of work left to prove this neuroprotection thing.
Info can be found in: Glaucoma, by Jack Kanski: http://www.amazon.com/Glaucoma-Jack-...4873501&sr=8-1 articles: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1936355 I have two more, but cannot find them for some reason. The research started about 1999, and is continuing.
Also, this nuero-protection stuff seems to be hocus-pocus when discussed regarding Parkingsons, but the glaucoma test-trails are promising. thanks for the interest.
Quote: : I agree, brimonidine is my preferred agent for adjunctive therapy, but I think they're still plenty of work left to prove this neuroprotection thing.
I just returned from vision expo and the consensus was that the whole "neuro protection" thing was such a titanic failure that Allergan shelved the entire thing after spending $65 million.
I made a blog entry about different pearls for the management of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy patients, and I thought that it would be nice to share them.
Here they are: Diabetics: Ask what the patient's last blood glucose (particularly fasting) and HbA1c were.
Ask if it has been under good control.
These numbers are super helpful with predicting the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy, or how bad it is if they have it.
Ask how long the patient has had diabetes.
It is well recorded in the literature that the longer the patient has had diabetes, the higher the risk for retinopathy.
According to the American Diabetes Association, 10% of those who had been diagnosed for less than 5 years had retinopathy, 39% for those diagnosed 5-14 yrs, and a whopping 70% for those diagnosed for more than 15 years.
Record the pertinent negatives.
What does this mean?
Basically, record the main things that we check for in the eye for diabetics: check carefully for neovascularization of the iris, disc, and elsewhere (NVI, NVD, and NVE, respectively).
Also, check for clinically significant macular edema (CSME).
In other words, if you didn't see any of these signs, record "no NVI, NVD, NVE, CSME" Glaucoma: For glaucoma patients on medication, it's important to ask specific questions about compliance;
Don't simply ask "are you good with taking your drops?".
Ask them when they last took their medication.
Also ask them how often they forget their drops, if they do at all.
These questions are important for you to determine if the IOP that you're taking is falsely high or not, or if you're wondering why there are more defects in the threshold visual field test you just took.
It is not uncommon for glaucoma patients to be poor with compliance, especially if their vision is good and there is no immediate risk to vision loss.
Remember that suspicions for glaucoma are raised with race (especially African Americans) and a history of glaucoma in the family (in addition to your optic nerve head evaluation, threshold visual fields result, etc).
Make sure to take note of these facts in your assessment.
For every diagnosis of glaucoma, it is important to do gonioscopy.
In order to truly diagnose an open angle glaucoma, you must rule out other causes of glaucoma e.g.
Pigmentary dispersion, etc.
I'd love to hear of your own optometric pearls, and they don't have to be about glaucoma or DR.
If this post gets enough replies, I'd like to make a web page full of selected pearls, with your permission and due credit of course!
Thanks in advance, your contribution would benefit many!
Correct me if anyone disagrees, but this is what I've read and also have experienced regarding glaucoma therapy: 1.
Travatan and Xalatan fall under the same mechanism of action as prostaglandin analogues, versus Lumigan, which is a prostaglandin analogue that works slightly differently.
I forget the reason, someone here may know.
Therefore, if you are currently using Travatan but it is not working well, consider switching to Lumigan instead of Xalatan, since they work the same. 2.
Lumigan tends to lower IOP better than Travatan, which lowers IOP better than Xalatan. 3.
Lumigan is usually associated with the most conjunctival hyperemia, so I don't usually start Lumigan as first line therapy.
If a patient is using another prostaglandin analogue (Travatan or Xalatan), this tends to "prep" the eye and it will not be as hyperemic after switching to Lumigan later on. 4.
Azopt tends to be the best secondary agent when combined with a Prostaglandin analogue.
This is when compared to other drops like Alphagan or a beta blocker. 5.
Alphagan (and Combigan) can cause systemic sedation.
Patients may feel "tired or sleepy" when using these eye drops.
Make sure you instruct them to do punctal occlusion after drop instillation. 6.
Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma responds best to a beta blocker, followed by Prostaglandin 7.
I've heard that IOP is highest at 2am, is this true?!? I'll update this post if I think of anything else.
This attached lecture is an excellent evidence based review of treatment options. Also, in my experience Alphagan is my preference as a secondary/additive agent.
Quote: : Correct me if anyone disagrees, but this is what I've read and also have experienced regarding glaucoma therapy: 1.
Travatan and Xalatan fall under the same mechanism of action as prostaglandin analogues, versus Lumigan, which is a prostaglandin analogue that works slightly differently.
I forget the reason, someone here may know.
Therefore, if you are currently using Travatan but it is not working well, consider switching to Lumigan instead of Xalatan, since they work the same.
Lumigan (bimatoprost) is a prostamide, and the other prostaglandin analogues are not.
A good way to remember that: bimatoprost isn't as potent, so this is why Lumigan's drug concentration is 0.03%, where the others are 0.004% (Travatan) and 0.005% (Xalatan).
Quote: : 7. I've heard that IOP is highest at 2am, is this true?!? We've been taught it is highest right before waking up, around 5-6 am for normal schedule sleepers.
So 2,5,6 am, whatever, sometime early morning Oh, and if someone for example works the night shift, their IOP peak won't be the same time, it will change based on their sleep schedule.
Quote: : Correct me if anyone disagrees, but this is what I've read and also have experienced regarding glaucoma therapy: 1.
Travatan and Xalatan fall under the same mechanism of action as prostaglandin analogues, versus Lumigan, which is a prostaglandin analogue that works slightly differently.
I forget the reason, someone here may know.
Therefore, if you are currently using Travatan but it is not working well, consider switching to Lumigan instead of Xalatan, since they work the same. 2.
Lumigan tends to lower IOP better than Travatan, which lowers IOP better than Xalatan. 3.
Lumigan is usually associated with the most conjunctival hyperemia, so I don't usually start Lumigan as first line therapy.
If a patient is using another prostaglandin analogue (Travatan or Xalatan), this tends to "prep" the eye and it will not be as hyperemic after switching to Lumigan later on. 4.
Azopt tends to be the best secondary agent when combined with a Prostaglandin analogue.
This is when compared to other drops like Alphagan or a beta blocker. 5.
Alphagan (and Combigan) can cause systemic sedation.
Patients may feel "tired or sleepy" when using these eye drops.
Make sure you instruct them to do punctal occlusion after drop instillation. 6.
Pseudoexfoliative glaucoma responds best to a beta blocker, followed by Prostaglandin 7.
I've heard that IOP is highest at 2am, is this true?!? I'll update this post if I think of anything else.
A couple of thoughts: On the prostaglandins: don't go straight for the "if the Xalatan doesn't work well, go with Travatan" try to know the reasons.
Studies are showing that Travatan works better in black patients than Xalatan. Lumigan causes less of the hyperpigmentation problems with the other 2, less headaches (as symptoms ) but will give more conj hyperemia. Also, recent, recent studies and discussions in glaucoma are moving away from "whichever lowers IOP best" when you can have a low IOP but still have NFL loss.
Some studies are recommending for newly diagnosis, use a prostaglandin to get the IOP controlled, then transfer to a Alphagan- as it is a neuroprotectant.
I encourage everyone to read new literature on neuroprotectants. Jack Kanski (love him) has listed several items of interest to prescribe: Betaxolol, Alphagan, Vit E, and Ginko Biloba.
These items have nueroprotective qualities to them, with the drugs having proved VF saving results. This explains renewed interest in some poly glaucoma drugs as they are incorporating a proven IOP lowering substane with a paired nueroprotectant. Please research this! Good luck everybody!
Quote: : courage everyone to read new literature on neuroprotectants. Jack Kanski (love him) has listed several items of interest to prescribe: Betaxolol, Alphagan, Vit E, and Ginko Biloba.
These items have nueroprotective qualities to them, with the drugs having proved VF saving results. This explains renewed interest in some poly glaucoma drugs as they are incorporating a proven IOP lowering substane with a paired nueroprotectant.
Any relevant articles on this?
My understanding is that the whole "neuroprotection" thing is still very much just speculation without any solid research behind it...
Quote: : Any relevant articles on this?
My understanding is that the whole "neuroprotection" thing is still very much just speculation without any solid research behind it...
There are about 10 years of studies done on Timolol vs Brimonidine showing that Timolol does keep the IOP lower, but visual field continues to restrict over the years, while Brimonidine does not lower IOP as much, yet visual field is preserved.
Betaxolol is also showing this preservation of the VF. This is why I said Alphagan is quickly becoming a preferred polypharmacy with a Beta Blocker or Prostaglandin. Its not a bunch of hocus pocus--- unless someone claims to know HOW this works.
That is not yet certain. I'll repost tomorrow concerning the articles for those wanting to read this info for themselves.
Quote: : There are about 10 years of studies done on Timolol vs Brimonidine showing that Timolol does keep the IOP lower, but visual field continues to restrict over the years, while Brimonidine does not lower IOP as much, yet visual field is preserved.
Betaxolol is also showing this preservation of the VF. This is why I said Alphagan is quickly becoming a preferred polypharmacy with a Beta Blocker or Prostaglandin. Its not a bunch of hocus pocus--- unless someone claims to know HOW this works.
That is not yet certain. I'll repost tomorrow concerning the articles for those wanting to read this info for themselves.
I agree, brimonidine is my preferred agent for adjunctive therapy, but I think they're still plenty of work left to prove this neuroprotection thing.
Info can be found in: Glaucoma, by Jack Kanski: http://www.amazon.com/Glaucoma-Jack-...4873501&sr=8-1 articles: http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/art...?artid=1936355 I have two more, but cannot find them for some reason. The research started about 1999, and is continuing.
Also, this nuero-protection stuff seems to be hocus-pocus when discussed regarding Parkingsons, but the glaucoma test-trails are promising. thanks for the interest.
Quote: : I agree, brimonidine is my preferred agent for adjunctive therapy, but I think they're still plenty of work left to prove this neuroprotection thing.
I just returned from vision expo and the consensus was that the whole "neuro protection" thing was such a titanic failure that Allergan shelved the entire thing after spending $65 million.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Will high IOPs cause glaucoma
Question:
I am a 45 yr-old woman who has been given the label of glaucoma suspect due to IOPs that range from 26 to 31 mmHg over the last 3 years. My Dr. has not suggested treatment to lower them yet, but I still question whether it is going to be safe to continue with regular vision having these IOPs over the next 20 plus years. What are the chances of developing glaucoma in the future. I am ok with not treating now, since there is no cupping of the optic nerve and no change in visual field tests, but I feel like my Dr. is afraid to say what may come in the future.
Answer
No doctor can predict your exact chance of developing glaucoma although your risk will be based upon whether you have a family history and may be influenced by the thickness of your cornea. I would recommend that you find out the results of your testing, visual field, optic nerve imaging, corneal thickness and continue to ask this question.
I am a 45 yr-old woman who has been given the label of glaucoma suspect due to IOPs that range from 26 to 31 mmHg over the last 3 years. My Dr. has not suggested treatment to lower them yet, but I still question whether it is going to be safe to continue with regular vision having these IOPs over the next 20 plus years. What are the chances of developing glaucoma in the future. I am ok with not treating now, since there is no cupping of the optic nerve and no change in visual field tests, but I feel like my Dr. is afraid to say what may come in the future.
Answer
No doctor can predict your exact chance of developing glaucoma although your risk will be based upon whether you have a family history and may be influenced by the thickness of your cornea. I would recommend that you find out the results of your testing, visual field, optic nerve imaging, corneal thickness and continue to ask this question.
24 hr BP Fluctuation and Glaucoma
Question:
by Jesse1188, Jan 28, 2009 12:42PM
I am healthy but was put on Aceon 4mg/day for essential hypertension in 03/08. Optometrists have told me since my first eye check-up at age 37 that my optic nerves looked "suspicious", but my vision is great. An opthalmologist told me in Nov '08 that my RNFL's seem to be thinning and I am at risk for glaucoma. I see him again in 6 months. (IOP on Aceon : 16mmHg both eyes; off meds:18 both eyes - both daytime readings.) I have recently changed my lifestyle significantly (diet, weight loss, exercise) and discontinued Aceon under medical supervision a couple of weeks ago. 24 hr ABPM done two days ago shows a wide fluctuation in readings. Highest at 3.30PM: 139/90; lowest at 3.25AM: 96/55. I am allowed to stay off BP meds under supervision. Question: Does the huge drop in BP at night "starve" my optic nerves of adequate blood supply and cause RNFL thinning? Would the Aceon have caused even more marked nighttime hypotension and worsened the condition? I have a strong family history of HT, early MI and death and will probably need BP meds in future. (Female, age 47 now) This looks like a catch 22 - how can HT and glaucoma be treated if lowering the BP and IOP at night will cause even more harm? Is there a way to "even out " BP and IOP over a 24 hr period by raising BP at night and lowering it during daytime? Without meds, my highest nighttime reading was only 116/68 (just an hour after the 96/55 reading.) I am confused.
Answer
I would recommend that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist and/or neuro-ophthalmologist to evaluate your eye
by Jesse1188, Jan 28, 2009 12:42PM
I am healthy but was put on Aceon 4mg/day for essential hypertension in 03/08. Optometrists have told me since my first eye check-up at age 37 that my optic nerves looked "suspicious", but my vision is great. An opthalmologist told me in Nov '08 that my RNFL's seem to be thinning and I am at risk for glaucoma. I see him again in 6 months. (IOP on Aceon : 16mmHg both eyes; off meds:18 both eyes - both daytime readings.) I have recently changed my lifestyle significantly (diet, weight loss, exercise) and discontinued Aceon under medical supervision a couple of weeks ago. 24 hr ABPM done two days ago shows a wide fluctuation in readings. Highest at 3.30PM: 139/90; lowest at 3.25AM: 96/55. I am allowed to stay off BP meds under supervision. Question: Does the huge drop in BP at night "starve" my optic nerves of adequate blood supply and cause RNFL thinning? Would the Aceon have caused even more marked nighttime hypotension and worsened the condition? I have a strong family history of HT, early MI and death and will probably need BP meds in future. (Female, age 47 now) This looks like a catch 22 - how can HT and glaucoma be treated if lowering the BP and IOP at night will cause even more harm? Is there a way to "even out " BP and IOP over a 24 hr period by raising BP at night and lowering it during daytime? Without meds, my highest nighttime reading was only 116/68 (just an hour after the 96/55 reading.) I am confused.
Answer
I would recommend that you seek the care of a glaucoma specialist and/or neuro-ophthalmologist to evaluate your eye
Eye pressure
Quesion:
Hi
What are normal limits of eye pressure for a male of 45 years?What is better,being on low or high side of normal eye pressure?Thank you.George
-----------------------------------------------------
Answer:
George,
The normal eye pressure is usually between 8 and 21.
In the past it used to be said that anyone with an eye pressure greater than 21 had glaucoma and anyone with an eye pressure less than 21 did not have glaucoma.
Eye pressure is the greatest risk factor for developing glaucoma but is not the only risk factor. We now know that many people with eye pressure greater than 21 never develop glaucoma. They are considered to have ocular hypertension. We also know that about 15% of all people with glaucoma have "normal" pressure.
It turns out that different people have different pressure sensitivity. Some eyes can tolerate high pressures better than others, but in general, the lower one's eye pressure, the lower the risk for glaucoma.
People with high pressure should be followed for glaucoma even if they do not have it. Currently, a large multi-center study (which includes Henry Ford Hospital) is underway to best determine the treatment for ocular hypertension.
It is best for anyone with concern about eye pressure be seen by an ophthalmologist and have his or her eyes throughly examined.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Hi
What are normal limits of eye pressure for a male of 45 years?What is better,being on low or high side of normal eye pressure?Thank you.George
-----------------------------------------------------
Answer:
George,
The normal eye pressure is usually between 8 and 21.
In the past it used to be said that anyone with an eye pressure greater than 21 had glaucoma and anyone with an eye pressure less than 21 did not have glaucoma.
Eye pressure is the greatest risk factor for developing glaucoma but is not the only risk factor. We now know that many people with eye pressure greater than 21 never develop glaucoma. They are considered to have ocular hypertension. We also know that about 15% of all people with glaucoma have "normal" pressure.
It turns out that different people have different pressure sensitivity. Some eyes can tolerate high pressures better than others, but in general, the lower one's eye pressure, the lower the risk for glaucoma.
People with high pressure should be followed for glaucoma even if they do not have it. Currently, a large multi-center study (which includes Henry Ford Hospital) is underway to best determine the treatment for ocular hypertension.
It is best for anyone with concern about eye pressure be seen by an ophthalmologist and have his or her eyes throughly examined.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition.
Miosis
Question
I am a 69 year old Glaucoma patient. I have had
PI's in both eyes. When first diagnosed in 1994 I was put on Pilocarpine. Since 1996 I have been on Trusopt and Timoptic XE. My pupils are fixed and do not dilate and so do not dark adapt making my night vision minimal. I have been told that this miosis is a residual of the Pilocarpine and will go away eventually. lt's been two years that I have been off the Pilo and the condition has not improved. I suspect that my pupils are permanently fixed. Is there any treatment for such a condition?
Answer
I first wanted to mention that there is a new drug out which is a combination of Trusopt and Timoptic called Cosopt. You may want to speak with your ophthalmologist to see if you are a candidate.
I think that the chances of your pupils changing after being miotic for several years is unlikely. One option would be to try using phenylephrine drops at night if this is when you have most of your problems. This is a dilating drop and it may allow more light to enter your eye. This is a drop we use commonly to dilate eyes for routine examinations. Speak to your doctor.
Good luck. This information was provided for medical educational purposes only.
Sincerely,
I am a 69 year old Glaucoma patient. I have had
PI's in both eyes. When first diagnosed in 1994 I was put on Pilocarpine. Since 1996 I have been on Trusopt and Timoptic XE. My pupils are fixed and do not dilate and so do not dark adapt making my night vision minimal. I have been told that this miosis is a residual of the Pilocarpine and will go away eventually. lt's been two years that I have been off the Pilo and the condition has not improved. I suspect that my pupils are permanently fixed. Is there any treatment for such a condition?
Answer
I first wanted to mention that there is a new drug out which is a combination of Trusopt and Timoptic called Cosopt. You may want to speak with your ophthalmologist to see if you are a candidate.
I think that the chances of your pupils changing after being miotic for several years is unlikely. One option would be to try using phenylephrine drops at night if this is when you have most of your problems. This is a dilating drop and it may allow more light to enter your eye. This is a drop we use commonly to dilate eyes for routine examinations. Speak to your doctor.
Good luck. This information was provided for medical educational purposes only.
Sincerely,
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