The Lesser of Two Evils

This week everyone’s been discussing a new study in the JAMA Internal Medicine Journal and its findings that regular aspirin use may increase a risk for age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common eye disease that is prevalent in people over the age of 50 and effects the central part of the retina causing blurry vision and possibly blind spots.

Aspirin, a common pain reliever is also known for being a life-saving drug in the event of a heart attack, which is why most people would take the drug regularly. This link between aspirin and AMD has sparked a controversy because some organizations, like Macular Society, want to warn people who have been prescribed aspirin to continue using it despite these findings. Macular Society, amongst others, says that the risks of not taking the drug are actually much higher than the risk of AMD. 

The study was conducted by researchers at The University of Sydney. There were 2,389 participants, of which 257 took aspirin regularly. After tracking these participants over 15 years, 24.5% were found to have developed AMD. 

As this discussion continues, we can only try and educate people so that they know that 1.)  they should not stop taking their prescribed aspirin, and 2.) they should get a regular eye exam in order to diagnose common eye disease like AMD, glaucoma and cataracts early on in order to minimize the damage done to their sight. 

Sometimes you just have to pick the lesser of two evils. 

Source: Huffington Post

The Sneak Thief of Sight's Newest Risk Factor

A new research study in Australia provides compelling evidence of a new risk factor for glaucoma, more commonly known as the “sneak thief of sight.” Researchers found that people with abnormally narrow retinal arteries are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma down the road.

Digital photograph of narrow retinal arteries (left) compared to normal retinal arteries (right) (Source: http://www.bmj.com/content/329/7457/79)

The findings from the Australian Blue Mountains Eye Study, conducted by researchers at the University of Sydney, were published in Ophthalmology, the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

 

Here’s a list of the main risk factors, including its newest, found for glaucoma:

1. Age: Those that are over the age of 40 are more likely to develop glaucoma. The older you are, the greater your risk.
2. Race: African-Americans are more likely to get glaucoma than the rest of the population. They also develop glaucoma at a younger age; on average, about 10 years earlier than any other race.
3. Family History: If you have a parent or sibling who has glaucoma, you are more likely to develop the disease. 
4. Diabetes: People with diabetes have a 40% higher risk of developing glaucoma.
5. Nearsightedness: People who are very nearsighted are at greater risk.
6. Eye Injury or Surgery: Those who have had eye surgery or eye injuries may develop secondary glaucoma.
7. Steroid Medication: Steroids may increase the risk of glaucoma when used for extended periods of time. 
8. Narrow Retinal Arteries: People with abnormally narrow retinal arteries are more likely to develop glaucoma.

Glaucoma doesn’t show any symptoms, but rather slowly steals your vision (hence it being nicknamed “the sneak thief of sight”) and before you know it, you could be completely blind. Knowing the risks and getting regular comprehensive eye exams is extremely important because if glaucoma is detected early, you may be able to save your sight.

Make Your Resolution Count

At the start of every year, we all sit down and think about the ways we can improve our lives for the next year. We make our New Year’s resolutions and vow that that this year will be different. This year, we’ll actually keep our resolutions. 

I’m sure you’ve guessed that the most common New Year’s resolutions are “to lose weight,” “to eat healthier,” “to save money,” “to quit smoking,” and “to spend more time with family and friends.” And you’ve probably also guessed that about 80 percent of people break these promises before the end of the year. 

Well, this year I challenge you to make a resolution that will better your life and even more, I challenge you to keep it. 

Improve your health and your life by making a resolution to get an eye exam this year. It sounds simple, but eye doctors check for much more than just a change in your vision; they can also determine if you have a common eye disease, which many times you would not know until you have already lost your sight.

Glaucoma is one of these common diseases that creeps up behind you and slowly steals your sight, leaving you with, in a sense, tunnel vision. Glaucoma is the 2nd leading cause of blindness, behind cataracts, which can also be diagnosed during an eye exam.

Stages of glaucoma vision (Source: http://www.vision-and-eye-health.com/glaucoma-surgery.htm)

"As we begin 2013, we hope that everyone’s New Year’s resolution will be to make their eye health a priority and schedule an eye exam,” said Debbie Goss, President and CEO of Prevent Blindness Texas. “Through early detection and treatment, we can help lessen the effects of glaucoma and other eye diseases on vision.”

Since January is Glaucoma Awareness Month, I feel that this resolution seems only fitting. For more information about glaucoma please read our press release.

Trouble in Toyland

Since Prevent Blindness America named December as Safe Toys and Gifts Awareness Month, we thought it only fitting to look back on the most dangerous toys in 2012.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) released its 27^th annual Trouble in Toyland survey last month and revealed that generally, most toys are safer than ever before. 

However, there were still a few toys that proved to be dangerous. Tests on the Morphobot revealed a high lead content that exceeded the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) standards. PIRG stated, “Lead is especially toxic to the brains of young children and can cause permanent mental and developmental impairments; it has no business being in child’s products.”

  

Buckyball magnets can pinch fingers and can cause severe internal damage if swallowed. It can also be considered a choking hazard if it falls in the hands of young kids. 

The Dora Tunes Guitar is considered to be too loud. The guitar is a potential noise hazard for kids and can cause hearing loss.

View the Trouble in Toyland report.

Anderson Cooper Goes Temporarily Blind

The latest news this week is that Anderson Cooper went blind for about 36 hours because he burned his eyeballs during a trip to Portugal.

Anderson Cooper tweeted this picture of himself on December 4th wearing a patch over his right eye (www.twitter.com/andersoncooper)

The 60 Minutes correspondent and CNN anchor said “he woke up in the middle of the night and thought he had sand in his eyes” after being on the water in Portugal filming a 60 Minutes segment. The UV rays bouncing off the water sunburned Cooper’s eyes leaving him temporarily blind and in a lot of pain. Cooper said he doesn’t like wearing sunglasses, but now he will have to make it a point to always wear sunglasses, especially when he’s on the water.

Anderson Cooper on Anderson Live talks about

 his experience going temporarily blind

What If I Were Blind

With the holiday season in the air, I can’t help but stop and think about all the things I’m thankful for in my life, which this year, thanks to my job at Prevent Blindness Texas, includes my sight.

Even though I work at a nonprofit where I talk to clients on a daily basis about their failing vision, I often forget that I am not immune to becoming blind either. Because of the hustle and bustle of everyday life, when you’re generally healthy, none of us have much time to think about our vision or our health in general. 

But eye disease, eye injuries and blindness affect everybody without regard to age, race or social status. You can lose your sight instantaneously due to a sports injury, or over time due to glaucoma or cataracts. Imagine never being able to read your favorite book, never seeing the leaves change colors in the fall, or never seeing your child’s face. Many of us often take our sight for granted, but not all of us are granted the privilege of sight.

Through my time at Prevent Blindness Texas, I’ve learned to appreciate the gift of sight and my hope is that this blog will help you learn to appreciate your sight, as well. It’s a precious gift, and with all things precious, we have to work hard at protecting it. Go to a vision screening or get an eye exam regularly, especially if you notice a difference in your vision, or if you have a family history of eye disease. Wear protective eyewear when playing sports or working with dangerous tools around your home to protect yourself from a serious eye injury. 

On your drive home from school or work, realize that it wouldn’t be so easy (or legal) if you didn’t have your sight. When you see your family members’ smiles, realize you wouldn’t be so lucky if you didn’t have your sight. And when you watch your favorite movie, realize it wouldn’t be as enjoyable if you didn’t have your sight.

Take 2 minutes today and stop and think about all of the things you would miss or couldn't do if you became blind. Now make a commitment to fight and take the steps to prevent blindness.

11 Ways to Protect Your Kids During the Holidays

We’ve worn the silly and scary costumes and stuffed our faces with turkey and pie and now it’s almost everyone’s favorite time of the year—present time! You may be excited because it’s time for your favorite traditions, time to decorate your house and, time to bake holiday treats, but your kids are just excited because they’re about to get new toys and gadgets to keep them occupied for the next year. Now we don’t want to be the Grinch, but it is important to know that the toys and gadgets you or your family members buy for your kids are safe.

Here are 11 easy ways to ensure that your kids aren’t in any danger this holiday season:

1. Make recommendations to family members and friends about gifts that you feel are appropriate for your child.  Be diligent about inspecting these gifts before allowing your child to play with them.
2. Inspect all toys before purchasing.  Monitor toys that your child has received as gifts to make sure they are appropriate for your child’s age and developmental level.
3. For younger children, avoid play sets with small magnets and make sure batteries are secured within the toy. If magnets or batteries are ingested, serious injuries and/or death can occur.
4. Sports equipment gifts should always be accompanied by protective gear (such as a basketball along with eye goggles, or a face guard with a new batting helmet for baseball or softball).
5. Any toy that is labeled “supervision required” must always be used in the presence of an adult.  Keep toys meant for older children away from younger ones.
6. Always save the warranties and directions for every toy. If possible, include a gift receipt.  Repair or throw away damaged toys.
7. Avoid toys that shoot or include parts that fly off.
8. Inspect toys for sturdiness. Your child’s toys should be durable, with no sharp edges or points. The toys should also withstand impact.  Dispose of plastic wrapping material immediately on toys as they may have sharp edges.
9. Don’t give toys with small parts to young children. Young kids tend to put things in their mouths, increasing the risk of choking.  If the part of a toy can fit in a toilet paper roll, the toy is not appropriate for children under the age of 3.
10. Do not purchase toys with long strings or cords, especially for infants and very young children, as they can become wrapped around a child’s neck.
11. Always dispose of uninflated or broken balloons immediately. According to the CPSC, more children have suffocated from these than any other type of toy.

View Safe Toys and Gifts Press Release.