Natural Eye Care Blog: News & Research on Vision

Cataracts and Glaucoma in Children Linked to Genetic Defect

A genetic glitch may be responsible for incidents of cataracts in children.

According to a press release from Maine’s Jackson Laboratory, researchers have found that RNA granules, which are key components in the reproduction of genes, might be linked to eye development. Problems with RNA granules can result in juvenile cataracts and glaucoma. If there is a problem with a key gene, Tdrd7, the development of the lens of the eye will be compromised, leading to these potentially blinding conditions.

The study was conducted with mice, but scientists believe that when children are missing the essential protein created by this specific gene they will be born with cataracts. Furthermore, the genetic mutation will mean that even after the surgical removal of cataracts, the affected children will be likely to develop glaucoma because they “may not have adequate protection from oxidative stress in the drainage structures of the eye.”

These finding will be published in the journal Science.

Source: The Jackson Laboratory

Update: Corneal Thickness Gene

One risk factor for glaucoma is central corneal thickness.

Researchers looking at ethnic populations in Singapore have identified the genes that affect collagen growth, which in turn affects central corneal thickness. Knowing how these specific genes work can help provide insight into the cause and progression of glaucoma.

Source: hmg.oxfordjournals.org/

Update: Glaucoma Gene

New research shows that genetics, and not necessarily increased eye pressure, can be responsible for the onset of glaucoma.

A study published in the journal Nature Genetics shows that open angle glaucoma is associated with the pathogenic gene PRSS56. The study was performed by researchers in Sweden, Tunisia, and the US. The Tunisian scientists based their research on families who suffered from glaucoma while the Americans focused on animal research.

Source: News Medical

Update: Genetic Gene Mutation

A new breakthrough in genetics research has identified the strands of DNA that can responsible for the development of open angle glaucoma.

Australian scientists publishing in Nature Genetics have found two new genetic mutations that can be linked to increased glaucoma risk. Though the mutation of the gene myocilin is present in only 3% of those who develop the disease, people with the mutation are 3 times more likely to have glaucoma than the general population.

Study authors indicate that this discovery could lead to better screening techniques and earlier detection of the disease often known as the “silent thief” since it progresses and destroys vision without one’s knowledge. Often, when one realizes their sight has been negatively affected by glaucoma the disease is significantly advanced.

Source: ABC Science

Garlic, Ginger, Turmeric All Help Regulate Diabetes

Diabetes & Spices — Image via doh.sd.gov

Another major study describes how some of the spices in your kitchen can help treat diabetes.

Garlic, ginger, and turmeric were found to have positive effects on diabetic rats. The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition (2011), 105: 1210-1217, finds that ingesting these common spices helped the animals who suffered from metabolic syndrome and helped modulate oxidative stress levels.

Rats who took the spices in powder form mixed with water for 28 days showed a 80-97% reduction in metabolic syndrome symptoms. The animals’ insulin production increased by 26-37% and their antioxidant defense systems were boosted by up to 52%.

Of the three spices tested, garlic seemed to have the most profound impact on reducing the risks associated with metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular problems.

Source: https://journals.cambridge.org

Important Note: Before taking turmeric supplements check with your doctor if you are taking a blood thinner. While adding a bit of turmeric to your cooking is usually ok, more concentrated forms have a lot of punch. Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric is a blood thinner.

Eye Exam Could Detect Diabetic Neuropathy

Importance of Eye Exams

Your eye doctor can help to detect whether you have diabetes.

When an optometrist dilates your eyes prior to an eye exam it makes it easier for her to look at the condition of your retina. She can look for and readily detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy that indicate that you have diabetes. Such signs include leaking blood vessels in the retina, swelling of the retina and deposits on the retina. The retina is the only part of the body where blood vessels can be observed without looking through the skin. This window into the state of your heath is a wonderful early detection system.

Source: Dr. Randy Steele, Journal Enterprise, Kentucky

Corneal Confocal Microscopy

For people who have diabetes, an eye exam may not only reveal signs that the patient has the eye condition diabetic retinopathy. A doctor may also be able to tell if someone has diabetic neuropathy in other parts of the body.

Research demonstrates that a corneal confocal microscope (a special microscope that produces imaging of the living cornea, rather than looking at samples of tissue taken from the patient) that can look at the shape and condition and functioning capacity of the nerve fibers in the cornea. This tool can help doctors determine whether a patient has diabetic neuropathy and if so, how serious it is.

Source: Virtual Medical Centre

Eye Health: Overall Health

The eyes are the windows not only of the soul, but of the body as well. The health of your eyes reflects the health of your whole being.

Others in the medical community agree with us. At the 25th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress Tien Yin Wong, MD gave a lecture titled: “An Eye Examination Can Save Your Life!” He discussed the way that changes in the blood vessels of the retina can indicate potential problems in the cardiovascular and metabolic systems.

An eye doctor who is considering your overall health can potentially see signs of stroke, heart disease, or diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease during your exam.

3-D Video Games Can Help Identify Eye Conditions in Children

A recent Associated Press article highlights the video game company Nintendo’s recommendation that kids under 6 should not use their portable 3-D gaming device. The company warns that the 3-D screen could harm young children’s still developing vision.

On the other side of the issue, a spokesman from the American Optometric Association declares that the device may actually be “a godsend” because it will help identify young children who need vision therapy. If a child cannot see the 3-D effects, it could indicate that he or she may have amblyopia or some other eye teaming deficiency. Source: Detroit News

Other studies have found that time spent playing video games and/or watching television do not seem to be detrimental to children’s vision. Still, it is important to note that time in front of a screen does not help children build vital visual skills. Being outside, looking at distant objects is a great way to help ensure that kids will have healthier vision.

Depression Increases Arthritis Pain

There is more evidence supporting the power of the mind-body connection.

A new study finds that depression can cause an increase in the pain associated with arthritis of the knee.

A study in South Korea of 660 men and women over age 65 suffering from osteoarthritis of the knees were evaluated using X-rays. They were also screened for depression. Those with joint damage were more likely to report high levels of pain, which one would expect. Researchers also discovered, however, that people with depression who seemed to have mild cases of arthritis based on the X-rays had much higher levels of reported pain.

Study author Dr. Tae Kyun Kim says “The relationship between pain and depression suggests that both should be considered by physicians when treating patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly in those with X-rays not indicating severe damage to the joint.”

The study appeared in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Source: https://www.healthfinder.gov

Learn more about natural treatment options for osteoarthritis at our website.

Retinitis Pigmentosa: Benefits of Vitamin A, Drawbacks of Vitamin E

“Take your vitamins” is almost always a good recommendation, but if you have retinitis pigmentosa (RP), you need to be a little choosy about which vitamins you take.

A 1993 study showed that taking 15,000 IU of vitamin A each day was very helpful for RP sufferers. Taking any more vitamin A than this recommended dose did not appear to be beneficial.

On the other hand, taking vitamin E (the study focused on intake of 400 IU per day) can actually accelerate the course of the disease and cause vision to deteriorate at a faster rate.

For more information on this and other scientific studies related to the treatment and prevention of retinitis pigmentosa, visit our research index.

Retinitis Pigmentosa Responds to Acupuncture

Acupuncture is an effective treatment for the potentially blinding condition retinitis pigmentosa.

An article in the Journal of Clinical Acupuncture and Moxibustion describes how acupuncture treatments alleviate stress on the retinal and optic nerves by relieving intraocular pressure.

Another study, this one published in Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine discusses how Traditional Chinese Medicine is able to improve retinitis pigmentosa patients’ retinal cone activity.

Scientist involved with this study say, “TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) treatment could also enhance the bioactivity of (the) nerve network and therefore have a definite significance in retarding the progression of disease and keeping the central vision.”

Source: https://www.healthcmi.com

At Natural Eye Care, we believe strongly in the power of acupuncture and TCM when it comes to healing the eyes. In fact, we wrote the book on it.

Leafy Greens Help Prevent Macular Degeneration

The Huffington Post is on board with the idea that colorful food is good for you and that the colors on your plate indicate the nutrients that will help you thrive.

As their columnist Brierley Wright, M.S., R.D. says ” Dark, leafy greens (spinach, chard and arugula) are good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin, phytochemicals that accumulate in the eyes and help prevent age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness in older people.”

At Natural Eye Care, we definitely agree with that statement, though we might recommend eating 1 1/2 to 2 cups per day, not per week as Wright recommends. A plant based diet full of leafy greens is essential for optimum eye health.

Whole Grains, Fiber Help Women Control Diabetes

Whole Grains

Women with diabetes can cut their risk of death from a heart attack by eating more whole grains.

A study published in the journal Circulation discusses how women who are a diet rich in whole grains and wheat bran were 16-31% less likely to die over a 26 year period compared to women who did not eat those foods. When researchers considered mortality risks specifically associated with cardiovascular problems, those who ate a whole-grain and bran healthy diet were 28-35% less likely to die of heart related causes during the study’s duration.

Source: Food Consumer

Fiber

A new study indicated that people with diabetes who take psyllium fiber supplements paired with a low glycemic diet can experience a reduced glycemic risk factors including glycosylated hemoglobin A1c [A1C] or postprandial plasma glucose [PPG] concentrations. Source: Food Consumer

It can also be important to eat a diet high in fiber. Focus on fruits, vegetables, seeds, oats, and whole-grain products. Note: Diabetics with unrecognized kidney failure could develop serious complications from a high-fiber (and therefore high-potassium) diet.

Learn more about how to help manage diabetes.

Glaucoma Linked to Sleep Apnea and Circulatory Issues

A holistic perspective on health means that we recognize the interrelated nature of the body’s systems. It also means that we understand the connection between the eyes and seemingly unrelated conditions like sleep apnea and circulatory problems.

People who have sleep apnea are 75% more likely to have glaucoma than those without sleep conditions.

Glaucoma is a disease that has a lot to do with blood flow. According to an interview with professor of optometry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Dr. Leo Semes, people who have peripheral vascular deregulation (often signaled by chronically cold hands) might mean people are more likely to develop glaucoma.

Source: Modern Medicine

Dr. Semes also cautions people about using beta blockers (drugs often prescribed for high blood pressure or to previous heart attack victims) because “Low blood pressure at night, coupled with high IOP in the supine position, can compromise ocular perfusion pressure.” Several population-based studies have suggested that low diastolic perfusion pressure is associated with an increased incidence of open-angle glaucoma (OAG). For information on drugs that can harm the eyes, have a look at this page.

For more research studies on glaucoma and its connection to other physical conditions, please visit our website.