Color blindness and deficiencies are genetically transferred, and affect the cones in the retina. The treatment to date has been with the use of special contact lenses called X Chrome lenses. These lenses are a deep red color and are worn on the non dominant eye. This lens improves, but not completely, ones’ ability to differentiate colors. It is an aid not a cure.

Research being conducted at the Universities of Washington and Florida have reached a possible cure for color blindness in squirrel monkeys. Through the use of a gene transfer technique that added a third cone pigment replacing the one missing from their retinas. Over a period of 5 weeks these monkeys had acquired full color vision. The color identification was measured using the Cambridge color tests.

This gene transfer technique adds the missing color sensitivity to the retinas that were deficient at birth. The researchers employed human DNA which means when the procedure is used on humans no changes in the clinical therapy would be needed.

This revolutionary technique is the first step in curing color blindness and may mean and end to this common condition.

Comments(0)

Clinical studies have shown that carotenoids are very important in maintaining good over all health and ocular health in particular. Zeaxanthin is one of the important carotenoids. It is the pigment that gives many of the fruits and vegetables their brilliant colors. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale as well as corn are great sources of this valuable nutrient. The best source of it are Goji berries. While the US dietary recommendation for carotenoids is about 2 mg/ day, there are no specific advisories for Zeaxanthin.

Zeaxanthin is a strong antioxidant that minimizes phototoxic stress. Systemic use of Zeaxanthin helps protect against dementia, skin conditions and certain cancers. With regard to the eyes, it is present in the natural lens. Oxidative stress causes cataracts and increases the likelihood of macular degeneration. Zeaxanthin is involved along with Lutein in increasing the density of macular pigment especially in the central fovea.

Macular pigment absorbs excess light and reduces free radicals that are responsible for oxidative stress. By absorbing the light the pigment protects the outer layer of the retina from this potential damage. Thus, Zeaxanthins’ ability to increase retinal pigment directly results in a protective action that will reduce the likelihood of macular degeneration. Epidemiological studies have supported this fact demonstrating an inverse relationship between AMD and macular pigment.

Obviously, a Zeazanthin deficiency will lead to a decreased retinal pigment concentration which can lead to more oxidative stress and therefore macular degeneration. This deprivation can also result in cataractogenesis in susceptible individuals. No studies have been conducted as to the potential affects of Zeaxanthin excess, but there have been no reported reactions in patients who have taken this supplement in large quantities. It is therefore considered relatively safe.

While Zeaxanthin does not satisfy current criteria as a essential nutrient, it may be used to fulfill the need for this category.

Comments(0)

Damage to one’s eye is often permanent and results in poor that can not be improved by any optical means. The development of new optical aids has dramatically impacted a patient’s ability to see after trauma or accidents affecting the eye. One such change has been small telescopes that can enlarge the image onto a damaged retina, or move an image to a better or more sensitive part of the retinal tissue.

One problem with such devices has been the patient’s ability to actually wear and use this complex instrument. They are unsightly and cumbersome to use and frequently result in lack of use. Thus the need to better deliver this optical aid became a priority within the low vision field of practitioners.

A new procedure called Osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis was performed on a Mississippi woman to help her see after losing sight due to Stevens Johnson Syndrome. Dr Victor Perez of the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute employed an extracted tooth from the patient, shaved, sculptured and modified it to hold and optical cylinder with a telescope. This tooth/telescope unit was then implanted under the patient’s skin so it could bond and give time for the body’s immune system to get used to. It was left there for 1 month during which time the eye was prepared for its’ surgical insertion.

This unit was then implanted in the eye at the iris plain. Two weeks post op, the patient was able to read 20/70, and Dr Perez expected her vision to further improve as the swelling decreased.

This patient used her own tooth as prosthesis in her eye and may serve as a model for further such procedures. She has a gap in her smile, but can finally see again.

Comments(0)

Toxicologist John Draize, 65 years ago, invented the “rabbit test” as a standard for measuring eye damage when exposed to chemical agents. The rabbits are held in a brace preventing them from moving their bodies or heads for 21 days or longer after the chemical has been introduced into their eyes. The eyes are then evaluated for redness, corneal damage, structural changes and alterations in the anterior section of the eyes. The animals are then useless to the researchers since the eyes have been compromised.

This practice subjects the rabbits to pain and suffering and treats them like disposable tissues. It is a terrible, heartless method that demonstrates a total lack of respect for other living creatures that feel pain and fear as much as we do. Fortunately, there is an alternative method utilizing cow and chicken corneas from dead animals. This procedure has been approved by both the US and Europe. The dead tissues are exposed to the same irritants and studies instead of the live subjects. There is NO pain and NO suffering!

According to Thomas Hartung who is director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing at John’s Hopkins University, the Draize eye test should become history as this and other alternative become available. The germ killing cleaning products no longer have to be tested on live rabbit eyes to see if they are safe.

We as humans have an obligation to safeguard the safety of animals. They are at our mercy and using them for this kind of testing shows a lack of respect for other life. We must employ methods that do not put animals at risk and expose them to pain. Only lab tests should be permitted and when safety and efficacy have been determined then human volunteers can be used. Animal testing never gives us the actual response anyway, so why torture these poor living creatures.

Comments(0)

Drugs are manufactured for treating specific conditions and the FDA tests and approve them for that use. Frequently, during the use of a medicine other benefits are discovered by accident. For example, the new class of glaucoma drugs have been shown to increase eye lash growth. Thus the manufacture now makes a separate form of the drug called Latisse to apply directly on to the lashes.

According to the July 2nd issue of The New England Journal of Medicine, antihypertensive medications can slow the progress of diabetic retinopathy. A clinical study was performed on type 1 diabetics receiving either Cozaar 100mg 4 times per day, Vasotec 20 mg once per day or a placebo all for a period of 5 years.

The results were outstanding and demonstrated a definite link between these medications and reduction in diabetic retinopathy. The group taking Cozaar demonstrated a 70% reduction in retinopathy while the Vasotec group showed a 65% decrease in the progression of the disease. These results were compared to the placebo group that should no change in the expected retinopathy changes.

Research has shown that patients with moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy present with high levels of angiotensin conversion factor and angiotensin II in their vitreous and retina. Therefore, it makes sense that blocking these factors with anti hypertension medications would reduce the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

More studies must be conducted to determine the dosage and best medication for this therapy, but it certainly shows that there are other treatments in the future to preserve sight in the always difficult to treat diabetic patient.

Comments(0)