Contributor Rebecca Banovic writes at Forbes (4/20, Banovic) about “a smart glove prototype called Anora” developed by Nikola Krstic, a graduate from the Electrical Engineering School in Belgrade, to help “the blind and visually impaired move unaided without a service dog or white cane.” The glove has “ultrasonic sensors that explore the surroundings: it provides vibrotactile feedback on the position of the closest obstacles in range and lets users know by a vibrating motor and voice app.” It also includes a “Panic Button” that allows the user to “send the location via text message to a guardian or friend.” So far, it “has been tested on 30 blind individuals in Serbia- and the reception has been positive.”

Medscape  (7/23, Brown, Subscription Publication) reports researchers found that people who eat “at least one orange per day have a 60% lower risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) 15 years later compared with those who do not eat oranges.” The findings  were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

They “report independent associations between dietary intakes of total flavonoids, and some of the common flavonoid classes (e.g., flavonols and flavanones), and AMD among older adults. Furthermore, the consumption of oranges and orange juice, one of the main foods and beverages contributing to total flavanone intake, is also likely to independently influence the risk of AMD,” the authors write.

“Bamini Gopinath, PhD, from the Center for Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology and Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Australia, and colleagues published their findings online July 6 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.”

“The researchers conducted a population-based cohort study of data from the Blue Mountains Eye Study. They included 2856 adults aged 49 years or older at baseline who provided dietary information for prevalence analyses, 2037 of whom were followed up 15 years later and were included in incidence analyses.”

“The study also may have been underpowered to detect modest associations between flavonoid intake and the development of incident AMD, as the number of participants who developed incident AMD was small.”

The authors have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Healthy vision offers patients more than good eyesight; for many, their quality of life is greatly diminished if their vision is less than adequate. For example, needing help reading a menu or being nervous to drive at night can limit patients’ independence, but nutritional support can help maintain long- term eye health. Perhaps some of the most talked-about antioxidants necessary for healthy vision are zeaxanthin and lutein, but why all the excitement around these two nutrients?

What’s all the hype about Zeaxanthin and Lutein?

Zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-aZAN-thin)

Zeaxanthin is a member of a group of compounds known as carotenoids.1  In the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function (ZVF) Study, researchers refer to this carotenoid as a “superior antioxidant” because of its chemical structure.2  In the same study, authors remark that “the macula selectively places [zeaxanthin] in its foveal center where the greatest protection is needed, which is last to degenerate.” This means that zeaxanthin is responsible for protecting the crisp, clear central vision needed for reading, seeing faces, and other daily tasks. While this antioxidant can be found in orange peppers, corn, and spinach, many Americans do not consume enough of these foods in their diet. 

Lutein (pronounced LOO- teen)

Like zeaxanthin, lutein is also classified as a carotenoid. Accumulated by the retina in the peripheral aspect of the macula, this antioxidant protects peripheral vision and low-contrast visual acuity.2 Lutein can be found in dark, leafy greens like kale, spinach, broccoli, and collard greens. While most patients know that these foods are beneficial, Americans sadly have moved toward a diet lacking in leafy greens. 

Macular Pigment 

Zeaxanthin and lutein work together to protect the sensitive tissues in the retina and form what is called the xanthophyll macular pigment. Found in the center of the macula, this protective pigment works like internal sunglasses, filtering harmful wavelengths of light before they reach the photoreceptors. Healthy, or dense, macular pigment may improve visual functions such as visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, light sensitivity, and glare recovery. 

From Review of Optometry Online May 10, 2018.

Sources: 

1. Heiting, Gary. “Lutein and Zeaxanthin – Eye and Vision Benefits.” All About Vision, AAV Media, LLC., Dec. 2017, www.allaboutvision.com/nutrit ion/lutein.htm. 

2. Richer SP, Stiles W, Graham-Hoffman K, et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of zeaxanthin and visual function in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function Study (ZVF) FDA IND #78, 973. Optometry. 2011 Nov;82(11):667-680.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.optm.2011.08.008. 

3. Herman JP, Kleiner-Goudey SJ, Davis RL (2017) Case Report of Dietary Supplements Improving Macular Pigment and Visual Function. Adv Oph thalmol Vis Syst 6(1): 00166. DOI: 10.15406/aovs.2017.06.00166. 

Tips for Avoiding Diabetes:

1.  Wear a pedometer and get 8,000 to 10,000 steps per day.
2. Eat plant-based diet (seven servings of whole vegetables and fruits every day; at least 14 different types of vegetables each week.
3. Get  7-8 hours of sleep each night.
4. Eliminate high-fructose corn syrup and keep added sugars under 25g each day (read your food labels).
5. Take 5,000 IU of vitamin D3 every day to get blood levels above 40 mg/dl (see your PCP or consider a home test available through www.grassrootshealth.org).
6. Promote healthy gut bacteria that improve insulin sensitivity by taking a prebiotic or probiotic containing oligofructose and avoiding aspartame, saccharin, and sucralose.

Diabetes in a known cause of blindness if left untreated.  Long-term exposure to high blood sugars causes the retinal blood vessels to become leaky and cause permanent irreversible damage to the sensitive photoreceptors, rods and cones.

Tips for Good Sugar Control if You Have Diabetes:

7.  Do everything listed in steps 1 through 6 above.

8.  Limit carbohydrate content of any large meal to less than 30 grams.

9.  Take 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar before meals to l lower blood sugar spikes.

10.  Slow down, put your fork down while slowly chewing food.

11.  Take prescribed diabetes medications on time, every time; take rapid-acting insulin at least 15 min before eating if required prior to food.

12.  Fast at least one day a week to increase healthy gut bacteria and insulin sensitivity.

See your eye doctor regularly and ask what you can do to keep your eyes their healthiest.

Source: Paul A.  Chous, OD, MA, FAAO

Healio (8/2, Sutton) reports a new retrospective study of 275 pediatric patients in the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s subspecialty concussion program published in Optometry and Vision Science “determined that the Post Concussion Symptom Scale may be limited in identifying pediatric patients with vision problems after concussion.” In light of their conclusions, researchers said doctors caring for children suffering from a concussion should recognize near point of convergence as a “diagnostic entity and understand its implications for return-to-learn to best support children as they re-enter the academic setting after a concussion.”

Near point of convergence, or NPC, is part of a comprehensive pediatric eye exam.  Remember to share any new or previous eye trauma or head injury information with your eye doctor.  Don’t wait until your annual eye exam to have this looked at!  An immediate dilated pupil exam is recommended after any eye or head injury to not only measure vision function, but also to ensure that internal eye injuries, such as a retinal tear, haven’t occurred.  If you or your child has suffered from an injury and a reduced NPC is found, further evaluation and treatment can be done.

Wear your sports glasses!  Protective impact resistant sports eye wear can reduce the incidence of eye injuries by 90%.  Fashion frames can break on impact and allow injuries to the eye.  Ask your optometrist or optician for eye wear recommendations for your sports and activity level, because polycarbonate lenses alone do not prevent all injuries.

MedPage Today  (7/27, Fiore) reports, “A thinning retina may be a sign of declining cognitive function,” research indicated. After analyzing “data from the UK Biobank,” investigators found that a “thinner retinal nerve fiber layer at baseline was associated with worse performance on cognitive testing three years later.” The findings of the 32,028-participant study were presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference. Meanwhile, a second study revealed that “polarized light could detect amyloid deposits in the retina, which could ultimately be used as a non-invasive way to predict cognitive decline.” Commenting on the latter study, Eliezer Masliah, MD, of the National Institute on Aging, “said that ‘whatever happens in the retina could be reflective of what’s happening in the central nervous system.’” Dr. Masliah was not involved in either study. Medscape  (7/27, Anderson) covers the first study.

Dr. Christina Petrou and the team at Petrou Eye Care in Glendale, WI promote excellence in vision care every day.  This year they’ve again teamed up with the folks at Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, part the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization.

During this event, Petrou Eye Care Optical will be donating a percentage of funds from the sales of every sport and protective sunglass to Prevent Blindness Wisconsin.

Just by purchasing protective sports eyewear, you can help support this benevolent organization, protect your eyes, and see better!

All funds donated to Prevent Blindness will support their various programs, including:

• Vision screenings for children to prevent loss of sight from common eye problems like strabismus and amblyopia.
• Adult vision screenings to help find and prevent vision loss from devastating eye diseases such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
• Public education to promote better vision health for all Americans.
• Scientific research funding to find the causes and cure of blindness.
• Advocacy for public health policies that improve access to eye care and promote cost-effective blindness prevention efforts nationwide.

If you wish to make your own personal donation directly to this important organization, please visit them online at www.preventblindness.org and click on ‘Donate Now’!

For all the golfers out there, sign up for a day of fun and a worthy cause at http://wisconsin.preventblindness.org

In 2015, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin raised over $52,000 towards their mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight.   For 56 years, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin’s free sight-saving screenings and services have helped ensure that Wisconsin’s children are vision-ready to see well in school, and for the adults to allow a life with better vision and healthier eyes.

AMD usually develops gradually and painlessly, and good vision in one eye can mask vision loss in the other eye. As AMD progresses, signs may become obvious.

Warning Signs for AMD:

Macular degeneration occurs in the center of the retina

• Difficulty reading or doing close work
• Distorted or wavy lines, borders, words, or details
• Blurry or faded faces, print, TV
• Blind spots, dark spots, or missing areas of straight-ahead vision

Know the risk factors…and if you notice any sudden or gradual change in your vision, don’t assume you need new glasses or contact lenses, make sure you have a complete eye exam. See your eye doctor as soon as possible.

Risk Factors for AMD:

• Aging – AMD affects one-third of adults over 75
• Heredity – A family history of AMD increases risk
• Gender – Women are more likely to develop AMD
• Race – Whites are at greater risk of AMD
• Smoking – increases risk by 2-5 times
• Poor diet, poor circulation, obesity, and inactivity
• Prolonged UV exposure
• Less overall body pigment and light-colored eyes

If you’ve been told you have high risk macular degeneration, ask your eye doctor about using a home Amsler Grid to monitor your central retina for distortion from advancing macular degeneration.

Amsler Grid Home Eye Test

Petrou Eye Care is committed to giving back to the community we love in many ways:

• Collecting, cleaning, and cataloging gently used eyewear for Lion’s Club International
• Donating new protective eye wear for kids and adults sports programs and events
• Providing free eye care and diabetic eye exams to those in need
• Volunteering our time to help less fortunate friends and neighbors

And by offering annual financial support or eye wear to local organizations including:

• Prevent Blindness Wisconsin
• Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
• Women’s Soccer Club of Wisconsin / Women’s Charities, Inc
• Walker’s Point Community Clinic

Join us in support of this great city we live in!  Shop local.  Support local.  Everybody wins!

Smartphone apps technology is quickly becoming a big part of our everyday lives, and it seems as though there is an app for everything, including eye care!  Whether you own a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch, apps that help you keep track of your healthcare needs can be extremely beneficial.  Below are descriptions of a few apps that can make your life easier.  

Mag Light App

Name: Mag Light

Cost: Free

This app is a very simple (although, very useful) magnifying glass with a light.  It operates through the device’s camera and LED light.  The user can view small objects or words with up to 5.0x magnification and can alter the light brightness.  A Pro version is available for $1.99 and offers a feature to freeze the frame, an option that is particularly useful for those with unsteady hands.  The Pro version also has a built-in photo album and allows the user to change the contrast of the image.

Amsler Grid Home Eye Test

Name: EyeCare – Amsler Grid Eye Test

Cost: Free

This simple app walks the user through an Amsler Grid test.  The Amsler Grid is a diagnostic tool used to detect visual disturbances caused by changes in the retina, particularly the macula, an area that is altered in a patient with macular degeneration.  The user follows step-by-step instructions in completing the test.  If defects are present on the grid, the user can use their finger to outline the defects’ locations.  The app also connects to the device’s photo album so the test and noted defects in the grid can be saved and reviewed with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.  

Name: LookTel Money Reader

LookTel Money Reader

Cost: $9.99

This app is useful for the visually impaired who need assistance in determining the denominations of money.  Just wave the device’s camera over the bill and the app will announce the denomination (both the numerical amount and the type of currency such as dollars or euros).  It will also display the amount in large, high-contrast font on the screen.  

These are only a few of the great apps that are available for eye care.  Some are available for both Android and iPhone, so check your operating system for availability.  They can be beneficial to a wide variety of people, and can make your life a bit easier.  As the market continues to develop, be on the lookout for many more to come!