SHARE YOUR STORY: Low Vision
Low vision is a term eye care professionals use to categorize substantial visual impairment that cannot be improved by standard measures, such as regular eyeglasses, contact lenses, medication or even most eye surgeries. As macular degeneration progresses, significant damage occurs in the macula, resulting in low vision.
Do you see a low vision specialist?
If yes, what have you gained from seeking low vision resources?
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
SHARE YOUR STORY: Vitamins
In 2001, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) research identified a specific formula of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene) and zinc that reduced the probability of progression to advanced AMD by 25 percent among individuals at risk. Carotenoids, not commercially available at the time of the landmark AREDS study, have since been proven to have even more substantial power in slowing AMD progression.
Do you have a vitamin regimen that you adhere to as a supplemental treatment for slowing AMD progression?
In 2001, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) research identified a specific formula of antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene) and zinc that reduced the probability of progression to advanced AMD by 25 percent among individuals at risk. Carotenoids, not commercially available at the time of the landmark AREDS study, have since been proven to have even more substantial power in slowing AMD progression.
Do you have a vitamin regimen that you adhere to as a supplemental treatment for slowing AMD progression?
Monday, July 11, 2011
CASE STUDY: iPad Grants the Gift of Sight to Legally Blind Woman
Evelyn O’Brien has faced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for decades. Her AMD progressed to legal blindness over 30 years ago, and for the first time since she lost her vision, she is able to see her grandchildren’s faces…all thanks to Apple’s iPad.
Because of her AMD and resulting legal blindness, when Evelyn looks at people she can't see their faces. She recently discovered that by using her daughter’s iPad she could zoom in and see details she hasn't seen in over 30 years. Evelyn now uses the iPad to read, watch videos, and surf the web.
Evelyn recently brought the iPad into her eye doctor, showed it to him and exclaimed, “Here’s the World!”
http://ping.fm/WHwAp
Evelyn O’Brien has faced age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for decades. Her AMD progressed to legal blindness over 30 years ago, and for the first time since she lost her vision, she is able to see her grandchildren’s faces…all thanks to Apple’s iPad.
Because of her AMD and resulting legal blindness, when Evelyn looks at people she can't see their faces. She recently discovered that by using her daughter’s iPad she could zoom in and see details she hasn't seen in over 30 years. Evelyn now uses the iPad to read, watch videos, and surf the web.
Evelyn recently brought the iPad into her eye doctor, showed it to him and exclaimed, “Here’s the World!”
http://ping.fm/WHwAp
Friday, July 8, 2011
FDA Grants Fast-Track Status to New Treatment for Wet AMD
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted Ohr Pharmaceutical’s Squalamine, a new treatment for wet-AMD, with fast track status and a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) to speed up progress towards a Phase III clinical trial of the drug.
http://ping.fm/wIc9W
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently granted Ohr Pharmaceutical’s Squalamine, a new treatment for wet-AMD, with fast track status and a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) to speed up progress towards a Phase III clinical trial of the drug.
http://ping.fm/wIc9W
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Hopeful Signs for Treating End-Stage AMD Emerge with New Implantable Telescope
According to several studies out of London, England, an implantable telescope shows encouraging results in treating patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
http://ping.fm/9lYI4
According to several studies out of London, England, an implantable telescope shows encouraging results in treating patients with end-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
http://ping.fm/9lYI4
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Yummy Summertime Foods to Help Protect the Eyes
Need some nutritiously delicious ideas for summer? Include these antioxidant powerhouses to help give your diet an eye-friendly boost!
* Watermelons: Loaded with juice, watermelons can quench your thirst on a hot day. It's also filled with antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene. Serve watermelon as a dessert or blend it to make a chilled soup!
* Zucchini or yellow squash: These types of summer squash are great grilled, and they contain magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and folate.
* Strawberries: A great snack alone or blended into a smoothie; strawberries provide antioxidants and phytonutrients that can reduce inflammation in your body. They're also a good source of fiber.
* Peaches: Peaches just may be the sweetest eye-protective food on our list! A great source of carotene, potassium, lycopene and lutein, peaches may help prevent heart disease, cancer, AND macular degeneration.
http://ping.fm/vwopp
Need some nutritiously delicious ideas for summer? Include these antioxidant powerhouses to help give your diet an eye-friendly boost!
* Watermelons: Loaded with juice, watermelons can quench your thirst on a hot day. It's also filled with antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, and lycopene. Serve watermelon as a dessert or blend it to make a chilled soup!
* Zucchini or yellow squash: These types of summer squash are great grilled, and they contain magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and folate.
* Strawberries: A great snack alone or blended into a smoothie; strawberries provide antioxidants and phytonutrients that can reduce inflammation in your body. They're also a good source of fiber.
* Peaches: Peaches just may be the sweetest eye-protective food on our list! A great source of carotene, potassium, lycopene and lutein, peaches may help prevent heart disease, cancer, AND macular degeneration.
http://ping.fm/vwopp
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
SUNGLASSES: To best protect your eyes, choose wisely!
Protect your eyes against harmful UV rays by choosing the right pair of sunglasses! Here’s what you need to remember when picking out a new pair of shades:
Tint: It doesn’t really matter what tint of sunglasses you prefer, since any color can filter out UV waves. Just remember that darker lenses don’t necessarily provide more UV protection.
Polarized: When partaking in activities like fishing, skiing, or driving, polarized lenses block reflective light waves and reduce glare.
Impact resistant: Play ball? Look for impact-resistant shades. The FDA requires sunglasses to survive some impact without fracturing but they don’t need to be shatterproof. Special protective sunglasses made of polycarbonate are your best bet for protecting your eyes while playing sports like baseball, tennis or golf.
Photochromic: These lenses lighten or darken automatically in response to the intensity of the sun’s UV rays. Glasses that morph into sunglasses fall into this category. The only problem with these, says Lee, may be with driving. A car’s windshield blocks out UV rays, so the glasses won’t darken in response to the bright light streaming through.
http://ping.fm/AyWSR
Protect your eyes against harmful UV rays by choosing the right pair of sunglasses! Here’s what you need to remember when picking out a new pair of shades:
Tint: It doesn’t really matter what tint of sunglasses you prefer, since any color can filter out UV waves. Just remember that darker lenses don’t necessarily provide more UV protection.
Polarized: When partaking in activities like fishing, skiing, or driving, polarized lenses block reflective light waves and reduce glare.
Impact resistant: Play ball? Look for impact-resistant shades. The FDA requires sunglasses to survive some impact without fracturing but they don’t need to be shatterproof. Special protective sunglasses made of polycarbonate are your best bet for protecting your eyes while playing sports like baseball, tennis or golf.
Photochromic: These lenses lighten or darken automatically in response to the intensity of the sun’s UV rays. Glasses that morph into sunglasses fall into this category. The only problem with these, says Lee, may be with driving. A car’s windshield blocks out UV rays, so the glasses won’t darken in response to the bright light streaming through.
http://ping.fm/AyWSR
Friday, July 1, 2011
Embryonic Stem Cell Trial to Treat Blindness Begins in California
The Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) just announced they will begin a dual-trial stem cell program targeting retinal diseases, including dry AMD.
This research study marks only the second embryonic stem cell program ever conducted in the United States.
http://ping.fm/qGRR5
The Jules Stein Eye Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) just announced they will begin a dual-trial stem cell program targeting retinal diseases, including dry AMD.
This research study marks only the second embryonic stem cell program ever conducted in the United States.
http://ping.fm/qGRR5
VEGGIE FACEOFF!
What veggie packs the most punch when it comes to naturally protecting your eyes? We put veggies head-to-head to see which boasts the highest carotenoid concentrations.
http://ping.fm/9DkGk
What veggie packs the most punch when it comes to naturally protecting your eyes? We put veggies head-to-head to see which boasts the highest carotenoid concentrations.
http://ping.fm/9DkGk
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