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Health and Nutrition

June 12, 2019
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Relationship Between Glaucoma and Poor Sleep

By | Eye Care, Eye Facts, Health and Nutrition, Latest Heritage News

Eye-Opening Study: Relationship Between Glaucoma and Poor Sleep

Written By: Kierstan Boyd
Reviewed By: Michael V Boland MD PhD
Apr. 10, 2019

A study of more than 6,700 people in the United States over age 40 who answered a survey about their sleep revealed possible connections between glaucoma and sleep problems.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve. Damage to this nerve—which is responsible for sending signals from the eye to the brain so you can see—often goes unnoticed until an eye exam reveals the nerve damage and related vision loss caused by glaucoma.

The study examined data from the 2005-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study participants were glaucoma patients with evidence of optic nerve damage and vision loss in some portions of their visual field. Participants were examined using fundus photography to see the optic nerve and automated visual field testing to check for areas of vision loss.

Respondents to the sleep questions of the survey reported their experiences with the following:

  • Amount of time slept
  • Difficulties falling asleep
  • Sleep disturbances (waking up during sleep)
  • Having diagnosed sleep disorders, including sleep apnea
  • Use of sleep medication
  • Problems with sleepiness during the day

The study found an association between having glaucoma and having various sleep problems. Among the findings:

  • People who slept for 10 or more hours a night were three times more likely to have glaucoma-related optic nerve damage than those who slept 7 hours a night.
  • People who fell asleep in 9 minutes or less, or those who needed 30 minutes or more to fall asleep, were twice as likely to have glaucoma than those who took 10-29 minutes to fall asleep.
  • The odds of having missing vision were three times higher among people who got 3 or fewer or 10 or more hours of sleep per night, compared with those who got 7 hours a night.
  • People who said they had trouble remembering things because of daytime sleepiness were twice as likely to have visual field loss than those who said they were not sleepy during the day and did not notice memory problems.
  • People who said they had difficulty working on a hobby because they were sleepy during the day were three times more likely to have vision loss than people who reported no problems working on hobbies and no daytime sleepiness.

“This study is interesting in that it adds to other research looking at the association between glaucoma and sleep problems,” says Michael Boland, MD, PhD, one of the study’s authors and a glaucoma specialist at the Wilmer Eye Institute of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD.

“We already know that doctors should talk with their patients about the importance of healthy sleep for good overall health. With studies like this, we can add that glaucoma may be related to sleep health issues,” says Dr. Boland.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that everyone should see an ophthalmologist for a baseline medical eye exam at age 40. This is the age when early signs of eye disease (like glaucoma) and vision changes can begin.

Seniors who are worried about the cost of an exam can visit the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeCare America program page to see if they are eligible for a no-cost eye exam.

February 15, 2018
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How To Put In Eye Drops

By | Eye Care, Health and Nutrition, Latest Heritage News

By Amy Hellem; reviewed by Gary Heiting, OD

 

Eye drops are used to treat a wide variety of conditions — from glaucoma and eye infections to allergies and dry eyes. In many cases, eye drops (or “eyedrops”) are essential to preserving your vision and protecting your eyes.

To get the greatest benefit from eye drops, you must use them properly. Whether you need one drop per day or 10, there’s a right way and a wrong way to put eye drops in your eyes.

Your eye doctor or pharmacist may give you instructions that are specific to the prescription eye drops you need. But in most cases, the proper technique for applying eye drops is the same, whether you are using prescription or over-the-counter formulas that you can purchase without a prescription.

Failing to learn how to correctly put drops in your eyes not only can defeat the purpose of having them, it also can get expensive. Each time you miss your eye and have to use more drops than you should, it costs you money — potentially a lot of money in the case of some prescription eye drops.

Step-By-Step Approach ToPutting In Eye Drops

  1. Wash your hands with soap and water; then dry them with a clean towel.
  2. If you are wearing contact lenses, remove them. The only exception is if you are using eye drops that are specifically formulated to remoisten your contacts or if your doctor advised you to use the drops in this manner.
  3. Remove the dropper cap and look closely at the tip to make sure it’s not cracked or otherwise damaged. Do not touch the tip.
  4. Either lie down or tilt your head back, and look up at the ceiling. Concentrate on a point on the ceiling, keeping your eye wide open.
  5. Place one or two fingers on your face about an inch below your eye; gently pull down to create a pocket between your lower eyelid and your eyeball.
  6. Use your other hand to hold the eye drop bottle, pointing the tip downward. Resting your hand on your forehead may help steady it.
  7. Hold the bottle close to your eye (about an inch away). Be careful not to let the dropper touch your eye or eyelashes, since this can introduce bacteria and other organisms into the eye drops in the bottle.
  8. Squeeze lightly to instill one drop inside your lower lid.
  9. Remove your hands from your face, gently close your eyes and tilt your head down for a few seconds. Try not to blink, as this can force some of the drop out of your eye before it has had a chance to be absorbed.

Knowing how to apply eye drops properly will save you time, aggravation and, especially in the case of prescription drops, quite a bit of money.

  1. To keep as much of the drop on your eye as possible, press lightly on the inner corner of your eyelid, next to your nose. A small duct that drains tears away from your eye and into your nose is located here. By pressing at this point, you close down the opening of this drainage duct, allowing the eye drop to remain on the surface of your eye longer.

This technique also minimizes the funny taste you may get in your mouth after applying certain eye drops.

  1. Use a clean tissue to absorb and wipe away any drops that spill out of your eye and onto your eyelids and face.
  2. If you are using eye drops on both eyes, repeat this procedure for the second eye.
  3. Replace the cap of the bottle and screw it on securely. Never wipe the dropper tip with anything, as this may contaminate the drops.
  4. Wash your hands to clean away any stray eye drops.

What ToDo If You Need To Use More Than One Eye Drop

Sometimes, you may be prescribed more than one type of medicated eye drop. But if you apply the drops too quickly in succession, they may drip out of the eye and not be absorbed properly, reducing the therapeutic effect.

If you need to put a second eye drop in the same eye, wait at least five minutes. This will give time for the first drop to be fully absorbed and create more space for the second drop on the eye.

If you use both a medicated eye drop and a lubricating eye drop on the same eye, many doctors prefer that you start with the prescription (medicinal) eye drop first and save over-the-counter products, such as artificial tears, for later.

Practice With Artificial Tears

If you aren’t comfortable putting drops in your eyes, a little practice can help you master the task quickly.

Purchase a package of preservative-free artificial tears to use for practice. (Don’t practice with prescription eye drops — you don’t want to risk over-medicating.) Using a preservative-free formula eliminates the risk of you being allergic to preservatives found in many artificial tears. Also, choose a product formulated for mild dry eyes — these drops aren’t as thick as those made for moderate or severe dry eyes, so they won’t cause any temporary blurred vision.

Ask a friend to coach you while you are practicing. In particular, have them help you position the applicator at the proper distance and location above your eye so the drops fall directly on the surface of your eye or in the space between your eye and your pulled-down lower lid.

In less time than you might think, you will become a pro at applying eye drops. Also, it’s a good idea to keep a supply of preservative-free artificial tears on hand. These drops can help relieve discomfort associated with computer eye strain and are soothing at other times when your eyes are tired or dry.

November 16, 2017
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Gobble It Up: The Benefits Of Thanksgiving On Your Vision

By | Blog, Eye Care, Health and Nutrition, Latest Heritage News

 

Why your Thanksgiving meal will satisfy your stomach and your health!

There is nothing that brings family and friends together quite like a delicious, hearty home-cooked meal. Dozens of dishes to pass along the table, funny stories exchanged over a famous secret family recipe and the collective feelings of happiness and enjoyment that engulf the end of the meal.

In America, there are plenty of opportunities for these festive feasts―winter holidays, birthday dinners, celebratory occasions. However, there is one meal that takes the cake when it comes to delicious food and good times spent with great people―Thanksgiving.

This meal brings together people from all across the country to sit down and enjoy some of the most delicious, drool-worthy Thanksgiving classics: Yams, pumpkin pie, stuffing, honey-baked ham, mashed potatoes and gravy and, of course, turkey. Just thinking about these delectable dishes is enough to make your stomach growl and your eyes grow large. After all, Thanksgiving is the one time of the year where you can guarantee your eyes will be bigger than your stomach.

However, once the meal is over and you have eaten more food than is comfortable, do not feel guilty about all of those plates and side dishes that you consumed. There are many health benefits that come with Thanksgiving dinner, especially when it comes to your eyesight and vision health. Here are just a few classic Turkey Day dishes that will leave your eyes searching for more:

Sweet Potatoes

This delicious, savory dish is a favorite of children and adults alike (especially when you add a little brown sugar and toasted marshmallows to the recipe… yum!). However, it doesn’t just satisfy your taste buds. These hearty potatoes are packed full of nutrients, including vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C and vitamins B5 and B6.

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for good optical health and helps to stop the process of macular degeneration and age-related problems in the cornea and retina. Vitamin C also aids in the process of this, while also helping to reduce your risk of developing cataracts.

Turkey

No Thanksgiving is complete without a delicious turkey in the center of the table. Luckily, this holiday classic is loaded in zinc, which offers many different benefits for our vision. Not only can zinc significantly reduce the risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and its associated vision loss, but it also has a significant effect on the development and progression of cataracts. Turkey is also considered a good source of vitamins B3 and B6.

Cranberries

Whether you include this delicious berry into your pies, your side dishes or atop your turkey, this beneficial fruit can help to protect your eyes from many different types of eye conditions. For instance, the nutrients vitamin A and vitamin C in cranberries helps to prevent cataracts and MAC, conditions which both result in dangerous vision changes or even vision loss.

 

This Thanksgiving, whether you plan to spend the day relaxing with your family, watching some holiday football or gearing up for the chaotic Black Friday sales, be sure that you leave plenty of room in your time and schedule for your Thanksgiving feast. Consuming these classic Turkey Day concoctions will not only keep your stomach full and satisfied, but will also help promote healthy eyes and vision for many holidays to come.

October 31, 2017
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Pumpkin Mousse

By | Blog, Health and Nutrition

This fall, trade your traditional pumpkin pie for this lighter dessert. Filled with beta-carotene, it will nourish your eyes and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Pumpkin Mousse

Pumpkin Mousse
(serves 4)

1 cup pumpkin puree from can (240g)
1/2 cup plain 0% or 2% fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 envelope gelatin
1/4 cup whipping cream, very cold
zest of one orange
1/2 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger)

  1. Put medium bowl in freezer.
  2. In a large bowl, mix pumpkin and yogurt, using a whisk.
  3. Sprinkle gelatin on orange juice and let sit for about three minutes, just enough time to get maple syrup ready.
  4. Bring maple syrup to a boil on medium-high heat in a small sauce pan, stirring constantly.
  5. Pour boiling maple syrup over orange juice and stir until gelatin has melted.
  6. Pour maple syrup mix into pumpkin preparation and mix well, using a whisk.
  7. Add orange zest and spices; stir to combine.
  8. In chilled bowl, whip cream to firm peaks, using a hand mixer.
  9. Use your mixer to whip pumpkin mix for about one minute.
  10. Fold whipped cream gently into pumpkin mix, using a spatula.
  11. Ladle into serving cups and chill in the refrigerator for two to three hours, until set.
September 14, 2017
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Eye Anatomy: Parts of the Eye

By | Eye Facts, Health and Nutrition, Latest Heritage News

By Liz Segre; eye illustration by Stephen Bagi

The human eye has been called the most complex organ in our body. It’s amazing that something so small can have so many working parts. But when you consider how difficult the task of providing vision really is, perhaps it’s no wonder after all.

How the Eye Works

In a number of ways, the human eye works much like a digital camera:

Light is focused primarily by the cornea — the clear front surface of the eye, which acts like a camera lens.

The iris of the eye functions like the diaphragm of a camera, controlling the amount of light reaching the back of the eye by automatically adjusting the size of the pupil (aperture).

The eye’s crystalline lens is located directly behind the pupil and further focuses light. Through a process called accommodation, this lens helps the eye automatically focus on near and approaching objects, like an autofocus camera lens.

Light focused by the cornea and crystalline lens (and limited by the iris and pupil) then reaches the retina — the light-sensitive inner lining of the back of the eye. The retina acts like an electronic image sensor of a digital camera, converting optical images into electronic signals. The optic nerve then transmits these signals to the visual cortex — the part of the brain that controls our sense of sight.

Eye anatomy

Other parts of the human eye play a supporting role in the main activity of sight:

Some carry fluids (such as tears and blood) to lubricate or nourish the eye.

Others are muscles that allow the eye to move.

Some parts protect the eye from injury (such as the lids and the epithelium of the cornea).

And some are messengers, sending sensory information to the brain (such as the pain-sensing nerves in the cornea and the optic nerve behind the retina).

September 5, 2017
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Eye-Healthy Deli-Style Kale Salad Recipe

By | Eye Care, Health and Nutrition, Latest Heritage News

Eye-Healthy Deli-Style Kale Salad Recipe

By Laurie Capogna, OD, and Barbara Pelletier, OD

 

Green vegetables, especially leafy greens such as kale, spinach and collard greens, contain high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. These pigments are powerful antioxidants that protect the retina from the damaging effects of UV rays and blue light.

Leafy greens also contain a lot of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, zinc and fiber. These additional nutrients help prevent the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Kale is the superstar of leafy green vegetables and is the feature of this eye-healthy recipe. This salad was inspired by the popular coleslaws that are served in delicatessens everywhere.

Deli-Style Kale Salad
(serves 4)

4 cups raw kale, thoroughly washed and dried
1/4 cup chopped dried figs or dried apricots
4 green onions, finely sliced
1 medium carrot, shredded
1/4 cup roasted soybeans

Dressing:
2 Tbsp mayonnaise
2 Tbsp plain yogurt
2 tsp vinegar (apple cider vinegar, white wine vinegar or rice vinegar)
2 tsp honey or maple syrup
salt and pepper

  1. Remove ribs from kale leaves.
  2. Roughly chop kale into bite-sized pieces (1-2 inches) and place into a large salad bowl.
  3. Toss together all ingredients of the salad except the roasted soybeans.
  4. In a small bowl, mix together all dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad and toss.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 3 hours.
  6. Sprinkle with roasted soybeans and enjoy.