The Blue Mountains Eye Study looked at 354 people over aged 48 who had visual impairment from cataracts. Some had already had cataracts surgery to replace the clouded cataract(s) Continue reading “Cataract Surgery Linked to Longer Life”
Diminished Cognitive Function in Elderly Linked to Homocysteine
Homocysteine is an amino acid that can be measured with a simple blood test. The study, which appeared in the Journal of Affective Disorders in August 2013, studied 358 people aged 50 and up who had symptoms of depression.
They gave the subjects cognitive tests that looked at immediate and delayed memory, as well as global cognitive performance. They measured Continue reading “Diminished Cognitive Function in Elderly Linked to Homocysteine”
New Discoveries Made on How Cataracts Form
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. Fifty-one percent of blindness cases in the world are due to untreated cataracts, according to the World Health Organization. Surgery to replace the natural lens with a synthetic one is currently the most common treatment. Continue reading “New Discoveries Made on How Cataracts Form”
CoQ10 May Aid Age-Related Macular Degeneration – AMD
CoQ10 is a nutrient essential to energy production in the heart. It also has the ability to improve mitochondria metabolism. Issues with mitochondria function may play a role in AMD onset. A study on this was published in Ophthalmologica in 2005.
The researchers of the study designed a trial with compounds shown to improve mitochondria function. This included CoQ10, omega-3 fatty acids, and Continue reading “CoQ10 May Aid Age-Related Macular Degeneration – AMD”
Dietary Supplements Reduce Health Care Costs
In a new economic report by Frost & Sullivan and the Council for Responsible Nutrition Foundation, the potential for savings was examined. The report found that supplements taken preventatively could reduce numbers of medical events. This indicates the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars in health care savings.
The report studied four types of chronic disease. U.S. adults with these Continue reading “Dietary Supplements Reduce Health Care Costs”
Vitamin D Protects Against Bloodstream Infection
In a recent study, hospital patients with higher levels of the vitamin were less likely to develop hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (HABSI).
This protective effect of vitamin D is an important finding. Boston researchers collected data from 2,135 patients of Boston hospitals from 1993 to 2010. The men and women had vitamin D levels measured before admission to the hospital. 48 hours after admission, their blood samples were Continue reading “Vitamin D Protects Against Bloodstream Infection”
iPhone Photography Used to Diagnose Eye Disease
Their process used an iPhone app called Filmic pro and a few other instruments. Researchers were able to create high-quality fundus images. This method could create a more portable and inexpensive option in eye treatment.
Fundus photography is crucial to eye care. It is used routinely to document eye condition in consultation and operation. However, commercial fundus cameras are very costly. This limits Continue reading “iPhone Photography Used to Diagnose Eye Disease”
Natural Relief from Migraine Headaches
It’s important to check with your doctor if you are suffering from chronic head pain. However, there are some natural remedies you may find helpful.
Exercise
Studies find that aerobic exercise is as effective at preventing migraines as the migraine medication topiramate. A study Continue reading “Natural Relief from Migraine Headaches”
Study: Statin Drug May be Tied to Cataracts
Subjects who took Zocor, lipitor or similar statins are more likely to get cataracts than non-statin users.[1. J. Leuschen, E.M. Mortensen, et al, Association of Statin Use with Cataracts; A Propensity Score-atched Analysis, JAMA Ophthalmology, November, 2013.] A number of studies assessing data with different mathematical models find that the risk is increased by 27% to 34%.
Cholesterol can build up in the arteries, clogging them and causing strokes and heart attacks. A popular type of drug calls “statins” reduce cholesterol by blocking a substance that body needs to make cholesterol. Around 25% of Americans over the age of 45 take statin drugs to Continue reading “Study: Statin Drug May be Tied to Cataracts”
New MDM2 Inhibitor Drugs Show Promise Treating Macular Degeneration
Sai Chavala, MD, assistant professor of Ophthalmology and Cell Biology and director of the Laboratory for Retinal Rehabilitation at the University of North Carolina, says a class of drugs known as MDM2 inhibitors, has been successful in tests on mice for both wet and dry macular degeneration.
Macular degeneration is a major cause of vision loss, with millions worldwide affected. The part of the eye that gives us sharp, clear vision Continue reading “New MDM2 Inhibitor Drugs Show Promise Treating Macular Degeneration”