By ALEX NJOVU
FIRST Lady Christine Kaseba yesterday launched the diabetic eye care programme in Kitwe, which is supported by Konkola Copper Mines (KCM). KCM has invested about K1.5 billion in the programme which will benefit more than 2,000 people from various parts of the Copperbelt and surrounding areas. Speaking during the launch at the eye ward clinic at Kitwe Central Hospital, Dr Kaseba said cases of diabetes are increasing worldwide and Zambia is no exception. Dr Kaseba said more than 300 million people around the world are living with diabetes. “The International Diabetes Federation estimates the prevalence rate of diabetes in Zambia at 3.1 percent. The situation is getting worse as millions of affected people struggle with the complications of diabetes, among them diabetic retinopathy (damage to the retina),” she said. Dr Kaseba said globally, diabetic retinopathy is responsible for 4.8 percent of all forms of blindness. She said if untreated, diabetic retinopathy will lead to blindness in 20 percent of the people who suffer from diabetes. “I am happy that KCM will be offering free diabetic eye care services from February to May this year in all Copperbelt towns, as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility programme which is aimed at improving the quality of diabetic eye care in the province. We need to tackle non-communicable diseases because they are killing people,” she said. Dr Kaseba commended KCM for its commitment to preventing blindness among the needy. “This partnership between Government, KCM and other stakeholders is commendable, given the gravity and implications of diabetes on affected individuals, their families and the broader communities. KCM is helping to contribute to the Vision 2020 whose goal is to eliminate preventable blindness,” Dr Kaseba said. And KCM chief executive officer Jeyakummer Janakaraj said the mining company is committed to adding value to the quality of life of people in various communities in Zambia. Mr Janakaraj said KCM will continue to work with Government in implementing projects that benefit people. He said KCM has in the last five years spent about K490 billion on corporate social responsibility programmes and the company is committed to working with various organisations in fostering development in communities. Kitwe Central Hospital senior medical superintendent John Mwewa commended KCM for partnering with the hospital in fighting blindness. Dr Mwewa said the institution has since 2002 been running an eye programme which is in line with the Vision 2020 requirements. And Copperbelt provincial medical officer Chandwa Ng’ambi said the Ministry of Health is pleased that KCM has on many occasions implemented projects which add value to the quality of life of people. |
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Diabetic eye care programme launched in Kitwe
General Eye news Diabetics advised to have frequent eye tests 22.02.2012 General Eye news Diabetics advised to have frequent eye tests 22.02.2012 General Eye news Diabetics advised to have frequent eye tests 22.02.2012 General Eye news Diabetics advised to have frequent eye tests 22.02.2012 General Eye news Diabetics advised to have frequent eye tests 22.02.2012
By Alexa Kaczka
People suffering from diabetes have been warned to have their eyes tested regularly if they want to eliminate the risk of losing their vision.
Many suffers of the condition go on to develop diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness if not treated, though frequent trips to an eyecare professional can help to indentify the disease early.
This is one of the key messages coming out of the World Ophthalmology Congress in Abu Dhabi, where experts explained the condition, which can go undetected for years without patients even experiencing symptoms.
Experts estimate that between 40 and 45 per cent of people diagnosed with diabetes have some form of diabetic retinopathy, with both type 1 and type 2 sufferers at risk.
It occurs when tiny blood vessels in the retina well up and cause blood to leak out, eventually causing blindness in some cases, though there is a simple way for diabetics to limit their risk of it developing, noted Dr Manal Taryam, vice president of the WOC and a consultant ophthalmologist at Dubai Health Authority.
"Some people can have diabetic retinopathy but not know they have it until it is too late. Diabetes is one of the diseases that causes blindness, but screenings have been designed to diagnose it in the early stages," she told the National.
As a result, Dr Taryam and her fellow eyecare experts at the congress are attempting to raise awareness of the threat of the condition and urge people to pay regular visits to have their vision checked.
She noted that many ophthalmologists are currently advising diabetic practitioners to refer their patients for eye screenings, as advances in technology have made it "simpler and better" to treat the condition.
The 12th annual World Ophthalmology Congress, which ended today, saw 12,000 ophthalmologists descend on the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre to discuss ways of raising awareness of, and eliminating, some of the leading causes of blindness across the planet, including diabetic retinopathy.
People suffering from diabetes have been warned to have their eyes tested regularly if they want to eliminate the risk of losing their vision.
Many suffers of the condition go on to develop diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to blindness if not treated, though frequent trips to an eyecare professional can help to indentify the disease early.
This is one of the key messages coming out of the World Ophthalmology Congress in Abu Dhabi, where experts explained the condition, which can go undetected for years without patients even experiencing symptoms.
Experts estimate that between 40 and 45 per cent of people diagnosed with diabetes have some form of diabetic retinopathy, with both type 1 and type 2 sufferers at risk.
It occurs when tiny blood vessels in the retina well up and cause blood to leak out, eventually causing blindness in some cases, though there is a simple way for diabetics to limit their risk of it developing, noted Dr Manal Taryam, vice president of the WOC and a consultant ophthalmologist at Dubai Health Authority.
"Some people can have diabetic retinopathy but not know they have it until it is too late. Diabetes is one of the diseases that causes blindness, but screenings have been designed to diagnose it in the early stages," she told the National.
As a result, Dr Taryam and her fellow eyecare experts at the congress are attempting to raise awareness of the threat of the condition and urge people to pay regular visits to have their vision checked.
She noted that many ophthalmologists are currently advising diabetic practitioners to refer their patients for eye screenings, as advances in technology have made it "simpler and better" to treat the condition.
The 12th annual World Ophthalmology Congress, which ended today, saw 12,000 ophthalmologists descend on the Abu Dhabi Exhibition Centre to discuss ways of raising awareness of, and eliminating, some of the leading causes of blindness across the planet, including diabetic retinopathy.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How To Prevent Eye Wrinkles In Winter?
The areas around your eyes are really sensitive and you got to take care of them on daily basis. If you follow the care tips of avoiding wrinkles around your eyes then we bet you will never have any. You just need to take care of things like while sleeping you need to sleep on your back instead of pressing your face in pillow and pressuring the delicate skin under your eye. Weather its winter or not you need to follow this eye care tip to avoid ugly wrinkles around eye area.
Moreover our body and appearance shows what we eat? Yeah consuming less nutrition then needed and dehydrated body can also cause the wrinkles around your eyes in winter. Have 6 to 8 glasses of water per day to maintain the ideal level of hydration in body. Remember the more you keep your skin moist the more there will be less chances of wrinkles around your eyes.
Sunscreens are not only important in summers but in winters too. A good base of sunscreen having SPF 15 protection can save your delicate skin under eyes from getting killer wrinkles. Apply your trusted brand sun screen to avoid wrinkles in winters. Apply it really gently since area under eyes is really sensitive. Similarly have some good big framed sunglasses too. These big pair of spectacles can avoid wrinkles in winters caused by harsh wind and blunt sun in winters. We bet its protection will be ultimate if the sunglasses you are picking up are 100% UV protected.
Last but not the least the most effective solution of removing and avoiding wrinkles around eyes in winters is to apply Vitamin E oil. Yeah you can acquire this oil by purchasing some Vitamin E pills. Squeeze it well and drain the oil out, now with the tip of your middle finger apply this “magic “tonic under the area around your eyes. Practice the above steps in night and sleep on “back”. You will see that the wrinkles have been decreased even after a single application of vitamin E oil.
We Hope you will get rid of beauty blunder the wrinkles but the first step is to follow our winter eye care tips. Have a happy winter season.
Click HERE to read more from Fashion Central.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
1st Eye Care North Arlington Welcomes Dr. Jaime Gonzalez, O.D.
1st Eye Care North Arlington Welcomes Dr. Jaime Gonzalez, O.D.: 1st Eye Care North Arlington, an Arlington, Texas eye doctor’s office, is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Jaime Gonzalez. Graduating from the University of Houston College of Optometry and awarded The Clinical Excellence Award in Family Practice while in school, Dr. Gonzalez is a licensed Therapeutic Optometrist as well as a board certified Optometric Glaucoma Specialist.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Those watery eyes may not just be about crying
Presentation of dry eye can vary – it can take the form of a ‘foreign body’ sensation in the eye or a scratchy, dry, grit
For Adijat Haruna, a 15-year-old student, her first experience of riding on a commercial motorcycle left her eyes shedding water. “I had to close my eyes after a few minutes because tears were just coming and it was very uncomfortable,” Adijat recounted.
Although, Adijat eye’s had adjusted to riding on commercial motorcycle to school every morning, watery eyes is a dilemma many people live with day in day out because their eyes are unable to maintain a healthy layer of tears leading to a state of relative dryness of the eyes. To compensate for this, there is overstimulation of the production of tears, which causes tears to flow easily.
Unfortunately, Dr Adeoti Emmanuel’s case was different. He started noticing problems with his sight while on a foreign trip to England. “I realized my eyes were dry at the airport and all through the trip on the plane, I had to close my eyes to get some comfort, while waiting till it was possible to get medications to correct the problem, he declared.
Sadly as one ages, the tear that is produced begin to lose its ability to properly lubricate the eyes. Tears consist of three layers: oily, water and mucus. If any of the three layers is decreased in quantity, quality or missing, the result is tear fluid that cannot adequately lubricate the eyes.
Nevertheless, the loss of any of the layers can be due to medications, menopause, exposure to overly dry air or wind, and other diseases. In addition, any condition that impedes the distribution or drainage of the tear film may result in dry eyes.
But dryness of the surface of the eye can lead to over-stimulation of the gland that causes production of the watery component of the tear film, which causes tears to flow easily. It can also be a part of the natural ageing process, especially in women, due to hormone fluctuations, according to Dr Oluyemi Fasina, a consultant ophthalmologist, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State.
Certainly, it is not all cases of “watery eye” that is due to eye dryness. He explained: “The tears come from special glands located around the eye and it is spread over the entire eyeballs when a person blinks. The tear drains through some ducts which are located at the medial end of the eye lids. Watery eye can result if there is an imbalance between its production and outflow.”
In addition, “people with some eye infections such as conjunctivitis (Apollo in common parlance) or who are allergic to allergens such as dust and dust mites might also experience watery eye.”
However, many things can affect the balance in tear production and outflow. “The simple one is emotions. When a person is beaten, he cries. Some people when emotionally disturbed cry. When there is any irritation of the eye surface due to things like fumes, dust and smoke, there would be excessive tears. The increase in tear production is the body’s normal reaction to reduce the irritation in the eye.”
Sometimes, a burning sensation, gritty sensation, pain, redness, blurring of vision or foreign body sensation would be a pointer to some degree of dry eye in some individuals.”
However, “dry eye syndrome is a group of diseases that make the eyes to be less moistened as it should and such patients may not really know unless they come to the hospital. What the patient would notice is that he is tearing, not knowing that the tears were actually provoked or triggered by the dryness,” stated Dr Fasina.
Can a person be diagnosed to have developed dry eye syndrome despite experiencing excess tears running down the cheeks? According to Dr Fasina, “if for any reason, the eye is not moist, the way the brain would react is to send impulse to the special glands located around the eye to produce more tears. The excessive tear production ensures that the surface of the eye remains wet, thus giving the impression that there was watery eye,” declared.
Nevertheless, watery eyes or tearing is sometimes that can also be caused by the blockage of the tear drainage system. “The blockage of the tear drainage system can occur at different levels and this can result in what the patient complains about as excessive tears in the eye or watery eyes”
Also, the act of blinking aside helping to spread tear over the eyeball, has a pumping mechanism to suck in the tears into the nasal cavity. Once the eye opens, the entrance of the tear drainage (punctum) opens and is placed on the surface of the eyeball and it sucks in the tears. By the time one blinks, the muscle contract, to force the tear down into the nasal cavity. But, if there is any problem with being able to blink properly, maybe due to cerebral palsy, this would affect tear drainage.
Also, in some elderly people due to the laxity in the muscles of eyelid, draining of tear from the surface of the eye is impaired.
In addition to an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, dry eyes can be due to ageing process, especially menopause; side effects of certain medications such as antihistamines, blood pressure tablets and birth control pills; and diseases that affect the ability to make tears, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and collagen vascular diseases.
But it is possible for the eyes to go dry suddenly due to a damaged or blocked tear (lacrimal gland) duct caused by an infection, a tumor, scarring or trauma to the eye.
Though dry eyes may not be cured, there are a number of steps that can be taken to treat them based on its cause. According to Dr Fasina, where the dryness is provoked by such health problems as diabetes, systemic disease or autoimmune disease, this would have to be treated.
But by and large, many people find temporary relief with artificial tear preparations. These are eye drops that palliate the symptoms.”The artificial tear is instilled to the eyes every six hours or more depending on the severity of the dryness. It would break the cascade of dryness, excessive stimulation of glands and excessive tear production,” he explained.
One of the most important aspects for people who suffer from dry eyes is their diet. A balanced diet rich in nutrients such as vitamin A, B6, C and potassium is important for the prevention of dry eyes. In parts of the world where vitamin A deficiency is widespread, severe dry eye is a leading cause of blindness.
All of the B vitamins are important in preventing dry eyes, but vitamin B6 aids in the proper absorption of magnesium. Magnesium helps the body produce a hormone called prostaglandin E-7, which is necessary for tear production. Taking one banana a day can supply enough potassium for good eye sight.
Monday, February 13, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
COSMETIC IRIS IMPLANTS CAN BLIND!!
This case describes a 25-year-old woman who developed persistent bilateral blurry vision after simultaneous bilateral cosmetic iris implantation. BCVA was hand motion in one eye; 20/400 in the other, and IOP was very high despite maximal medical therapy. She had central retinal vein occlusion and end-stage glaucomatous optic neuropathy and was diagnosed with neovascular glaucoma. Despite aggressive treatment, she suffered severe permanent bilateral vision loss. American Journal of Ophthalmology, May 2011
How standard Vistis To Your Optometrist Can Keep Your Vision good
February 7, 2012 | Posted by RyanRichards
Legal Licensing Process Of An Optometrist
A authorized doctor who is educated and trained to review and treat the eyes is called and Optometrist. In most cases they are required to finish both undergraduste college degree and a four year program at an certified optometry school. Upon successful completion of the four year program they earn their Doctor of Optometry (O.D. – Oculus Doctor) After completeing the four year graduate program they then earn their Doctor of Optometry (O.D – Oculus Doctor) After completing optometry school they are required to pass an assessment administered by the National Board of Examiners In Optometry (NBEO)After all their studies are finish they are next required to pass a national review administered by the National Board of Exmainers In Optometry (NBEO). Once they pass this review they are then required to fulfill continuing education requirements throughout their licensed career.
Regular Exams
The approved time between visits to an Optometrist my vary depending on the inclusive health condtion, family health history and age of the patient. For patients who have cronic eye disease or deteorating eye sight they might need to call on theri optometrist more frequently than a patient who has healthy vison and may only need an adjustment to theri prescpription once a year.
A patient may need to schedule an appointment to call on an optometrist immediately if they are experiencing issues such as infection, blurry vision or pain thie the eye area. Another very general sign of vision problems could be headaches and constant squinting.
Prevention
Seeing a licensed optometrist regularly throughout a patient’s life is very necessary to both prevent potential eye diseases from developing into dangerous infections and loss of eyesight, and also to care for optimal vision for day to day living.
Children can start seeing an optometrist as early as 6 months of age to exam to make sure their vision is working properly and the development of all eye functions are on the right path. The babies will not be able to verbally communicate to the doctor but the doctor is trained to look for abnormalities in eye development and structure.
As children start to grow at a quick rate through their shcool age years it is a great idea to have their eyes checked regulary. It is not unique for children to be first mislabeled as having a learning disability or other developmental problems when in fact they actually have undiagnosed eye problems. This can be very confusing for the family and the undiagnosed child because it is not always immediately connected that there is a link between the vison problem and learning issues.
Care For Optimal Eye Health
During a patient’s adult and into their senior years it is very common for their eyesight to start to digress resulting in more instances of blurry vision, not being able to call on as well at night, and sometimes confusion. For these patients it can be sugggested to call on an optometrist at least once a year to care for quality ocular health, especially if the patient has already been diagnosed with some form of eye health condition. It is very common for optometrists to prescribe vitamins to supplement the diet to help improve or sustain overall ocular health.
While many people, especially children and young adults, don’t often think about the importance of seeing an optometrist until they notice a significant change in vision or have an issue with their eyesight or eye health, it is good practice to make a visit to see an optometrist on a regular interval just to make sure your vision stays on the right path.
If you need a well known Optometrist West Palm Beach Florida is home to a very experienced and appreciated practice. Click here: Optometrist West Palm Beach for more information and to schedule an appointment today.
A authorized doctor who is educated and trained to review and treat the eyes is called and Optometrist. In most cases they are required to finish both undergraduste college degree and a four year program at an certified optometry school. Upon successful completion of the four year program they earn their Doctor of Optometry (O.D. – Oculus Doctor) After completeing the four year graduate program they then earn their Doctor of Optometry (O.D – Oculus Doctor) After completing optometry school they are required to pass an assessment administered by the National Board of Examiners In Optometry (NBEO)After all their studies are finish they are next required to pass a national review administered by the National Board of Exmainers In Optometry (NBEO). Once they pass this review they are then required to fulfill continuing education requirements throughout their licensed career.
Regular Exams
The approved time between visits to an Optometrist my vary depending on the inclusive health condtion, family health history and age of the patient. For patients who have cronic eye disease or deteorating eye sight they might need to call on theri optometrist more frequently than a patient who has healthy vison and may only need an adjustment to theri prescpription once a year.
A patient may need to schedule an appointment to call on an optometrist immediately if they are experiencing issues such as infection, blurry vision or pain thie the eye area. Another very general sign of vision problems could be headaches and constant squinting.
Prevention
Seeing a licensed optometrist regularly throughout a patient’s life is very necessary to both prevent potential eye diseases from developing into dangerous infections and loss of eyesight, and also to care for optimal vision for day to day living.
Children can start seeing an optometrist as early as 6 months of age to exam to make sure their vision is working properly and the development of all eye functions are on the right path. The babies will not be able to verbally communicate to the doctor but the doctor is trained to look for abnormalities in eye development and structure.
As children start to grow at a quick rate through their shcool age years it is a great idea to have their eyes checked regulary. It is not unique for children to be first mislabeled as having a learning disability or other developmental problems when in fact they actually have undiagnosed eye problems. This can be very confusing for the family and the undiagnosed child because it is not always immediately connected that there is a link between the vison problem and learning issues.
Care For Optimal Eye Health
During a patient’s adult and into their senior years it is very common for their eyesight to start to digress resulting in more instances of blurry vision, not being able to call on as well at night, and sometimes confusion. For these patients it can be sugggested to call on an optometrist at least once a year to care for quality ocular health, especially if the patient has already been diagnosed with some form of eye health condition. It is very common for optometrists to prescribe vitamins to supplement the diet to help improve or sustain overall ocular health.
While many people, especially children and young adults, don’t often think about the importance of seeing an optometrist until they notice a significant change in vision or have an issue with their eyesight or eye health, it is good practice to make a visit to see an optometrist on a regular interval just to make sure your vision stays on the right path.
If you need a well known Optometrist West Palm Beach Florida is home to a very experienced and appreciated practice. Click here: Optometrist West Palm Beach for more information and to schedule an appointment today.
(ARA) - While many people take their vision for granted, those with Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) certainly do not. AMD Awareness is important because the condition deteriorates central vision, affecting everything from seeing faces clearly to literally having a large "blind spot" in the center of your vision, yet many people are unfamiliar with AMD. AMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in Americans over age 50, according to the American Optometric Association. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate 1.8 million have AMD and another 7.3 million people are at risk. As our population ages at an ever-increasing rate, the incidence of AMD is expected to triple by 2025. Key risk factors for AMD are age, family history, smoking (past or present), low macular pigment, poor diet, light skin and eyes, high body mass index, and Caucasian women are also at slightly higher risk. And while we cannot change our age, we can proactively manage some of the risk factors and take steps to maintain or improve our vision. Published in the November 2011 issue of the Journal of Optometry, the Zeaxanthin and Visual Function (ZVF) Study was conducted by Dr. Stuart Richer of Chicago. The study included 60 early AMD patients who consumed a daily dose of 8 mgs of dietary Zeaxanthin for one year. The patients' vision improved in the areas of: high contrast visual acuity (reading, needlepoint, etc.), which improved by 8.5 letters on an eye chart; central scotomas or "blind spots" were resolved; foveal shape discrimination was enhanced (ability to discern shapes at varying distances); and finally, a significant percentage of the group reported an improvement in night driving. As we age, our eyes degrade - a process that begins when we are children. Harmful blue light from the sun, indoor lighting, and even computers, along with poor diet, smoking, and high body mass index can all affect our central vision - but there is good news, too. A protective pigment in the back of the eye called macular pigment absorbs harmful blue light that can adversely affect eye health. Think of macular pigment as "internal sunglasses" that protect the photoreceptors in the back of the eye - specifically the cones, which are responsible for central vision, color, sharpness, and sensitivity to bright light, among others. The two key protective pigments in your internal sunglasses are Zeaxanthin (pronounced zee-uh-zan-thin) and Lutein. In order to keep the internal sunglasses thick and dense, it is important to replenish Zeaxanthin, the predominant protective pigment in the center of the macula where the concentration of cones is the highest. Unfortunately, Zeaxanthin is scarce in the average daily diet, and most people do not consume enough kale, corn, collard greens, spinach, or peppers to naturally replenish what the eyes need most. For example, one would have to eat approximately 20 ears of corn to get a recommended daily dosage of 8-10 mg of dietary Zeaxanthin. Healthy macular pigment does more than just protect. It can help adults with sensitivity to bright light, glare while driving at night, seeing well in low light environments, and discernment between contrasting colors. The early AMD patients in the ZVF Study increased their MPOD levels from an average of .33 to .51 - a direct correlation with their visual improvement. MPOD or Macular Pigment Optical Density is a measurement of the macular pigment in the back of the eye, and is performed by many optometrists throughout the country. Eye vitamins like the EyePromise brand of nutraceuticals help rebuild macular pigment through unique nutritional formulas that feature the highest levels of all natural, dietary Zeaxanthin, derived from special paprika peppers. "Education is the first step in fighting AMD," says Dennis Gierhart, PhD, and co-founder of ZeaVision. "Science demonstrates that low macular pigment is an important AMD risk factor, and it's encouraging to know that dietary Zeaxanthin is helping people maintain and enhance their vision." AMD Awareness is about educating people about AMD risks and being proactive to improve vision. Proper nutrition and supplementation can greatly affect eye health and quality of life. Ask your EyeCare Professional about having your macular pigment measured to protect and enhance your central vision.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul. Keep your windows clear with these eye-healthy nutrients
One of the largest concerns in eye health is age-related macular
degeneration or AMD. In 2009, ABC news reported that 8 million people
are at risk for experiencing AMD, and 1.75 million people have an
advanced form of AMD, according to the National Eye Institute. While
eating healthy can't cure blindness or even poor vision, eating a diet
rich in these beneficial nutrients can deter many ocular degenerative
diseases and keep your eyes working at their best well into your old
age.
Model Photo
Antioxidants
Eatingwell.com provides that studies support the positive effects of antioxidants on the longevity of eyes. People with higher levels of antioxidants have lower levels of age-related macular degeneration. Leading antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin. While it is not 100% certain, it is hypothesized that these antioxidant fight cellular damage in the retina by warding off free radicals. Lutein and zeaxanthin can also help to form macular pigment that blocks protects the eyes from the sun's harmful rays.
Vitamins and Minerals
In 2001, one large study sponsored by the National Eye Institute called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, found that people at high risk for advanced AMD lowered their risk of the disease by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and zinc. The study also found that taking these supplements reduced the risk of vision loss caused by AMD by about 19 percent. While the effectiveness of supplementing with these nutrients for preventing eye disease in people with no current eye health problems has been questioned, there is no denying the benefits of regular consumption of these nutrients in food. Sources
Good sources of beta-carotene and vitamin A are sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro and fresh thyme.
Vitamin C can be obtained from oranges, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, citrus juices or juices fortified with vitamin C, raw and cooked leafy greens (turnip greens, spinach), red and green peppers, canned and fresh tomatoes, potatoes, winter squash, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapple.
Foods rich in zeaxanthin and lutein are eggs, kale, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, garden peas and Brussels sprouts. The Office of Dietary Supplements lists oysters, red meat and poultry, the beans, nuts, certain types of seafood (such as crab and lobster), whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, and dairy products as sufficient sources of Zinc.
In any case, a well-rounded approach will bring about the most benefits. You want to keep your whole day full of a variety of fruits and vegetables to cover all your bases. Making sure you get an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help you preserve your eyes and your vision for as long as you need it.
http://www.americanhealthandbeauty.com/articles/?article=4711
Model Photo
Eatingwell.com provides that studies support the positive effects of antioxidants on the longevity of eyes. People with higher levels of antioxidants have lower levels of age-related macular degeneration. Leading antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, lutein, and zeaxanthin. While it is not 100% certain, it is hypothesized that these antioxidant fight cellular damage in the retina by warding off free radicals. Lutein and zeaxanthin can also help to form macular pigment that blocks protects the eyes from the sun's harmful rays.
Vitamins and Minerals
In 2001, one large study sponsored by the National Eye Institute called the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, or AREDS, found that people at high risk for advanced AMD lowered their risk of the disease by about 25 percent when treated with a high-dose combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, and zinc. The study also found that taking these supplements reduced the risk of vision loss caused by AMD by about 19 percent. While the effectiveness of supplementing with these nutrients for preventing eye disease in people with no current eye health problems has been questioned, there is no denying the benefits of regular consumption of these nutrients in food. Sources
Good sources of beta-carotene and vitamin A are sweet potatoes, carrots, kale, spinach, turnip greens, winter squash, collard greens, cilantro and fresh thyme.
Vitamin C can be obtained from oranges, green peppers, watermelon, papaya, grapefruit, cantaloupe, strawberries, kiwi, mango, broccoli, tomatoes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage, citrus juices or juices fortified with vitamin C, raw and cooked leafy greens (turnip greens, spinach), red and green peppers, canned and fresh tomatoes, potatoes, winter squash, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, and pineapple.
Foods rich in zeaxanthin and lutein are eggs, kale, spinach, turnip greens, collard greens, romaine lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, corn, garden peas and Brussels sprouts. The Office of Dietary Supplements lists oysters, red meat and poultry, the beans, nuts, certain types of seafood (such as crab and lobster), whole grains, fortified breakfast cereals, and dairy products as sufficient sources of Zinc.
In any case, a well-rounded approach will bring about the most benefits. You want to keep your whole day full of a variety of fruits and vegetables to cover all your bases. Making sure you get an abundance of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants can help you preserve your eyes and your vision for as long as you need it.
for more information visit
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Eyeglass Frames That Match Your Face Shape and Coloring, By Erinn Morgan, with updates by Liz Segre
For many of us, the most important aspect of choosing eyeglass frames is how they look on our face.
You could try on every pair of eyeglasses in the store to find out how each one looks, but narrowing down your choices in advance can save you a lot of time and aggravation. You simply need to determine your face shape and coloring, and understand which eyeglass frame styles and colors would look best on you.
Matching Eyeglass Frames to Face Shapes
You should consider three main points when choosing an eyeglass frame for your face shape, according to The Vision Council:
- Eyewear should repeat your personal best feature (such as a blue frame to match blue eyes).
- The frame shape should contrast with your face shape.
- The frame size should be in scale with your face size.
Also, while most faces are a combination of shapes and angles, there are seven basic face shapes: round, oval, oblong, base-down triangle, base-up triangle, diamond and square.
Here is a further description of these face shapes and which types of frames work best for each, according to The Vision Council. A good optician can help you use these guidelines to choose your new eyeglasses.
Round
A round face has curved lines with the width and length in the same proportions and no angles. To make a round face appear thinner and longer, try angular narrow eyeglass frames to lengthen the face, a clear bridge that widens the eyes, and frames that are wider than they are deep, such as a rectangular shape.
Oval
An oval face is considered to be the ideal shape because of its balanced proportions. To keep the oval's natural balance, look for eyeglass frames that are as wide as (or wider than) the broadest part of the face, or walnut-shaped frames that are not too deep or too narrow.
Oblong
An oblong face is longer than it is wide and has a long straight cheek line and sometimes a longish nose. To make an oblong face appear shorter and more balanced, try frames that have more depth than width, decorative or contrasting temples that add width to the face, or a low bridge to shorten the nose.
Base-Down Triangle
A base-down triangular face has a narrow forehead and widens at the cheek and chin areas. To add width and emphasize the narrow upper third of the face, try frames that are heavily accented with color and detailing on the top half or cat-eye shapes.
Base-Up Triangle
This face has a very wide top third and small bottom third. To minimize the width of the top of the face, try frames that are wider at the bottom, very light colors and materials and rimless frame styles (which have a light, airy effect because the lenses are simply held in place by a few screws, with no surrounding frame material).
Diamond
Diamond-shaped faces are narrow at the eye line and jawline, and have broad cheekbones that may be high and dramatic. This is the rarest face shape. To highlight the eyes and soften the cheekbones, try frames that have detailing or distinctive brow lines, or try rimless frames or oval and cat-eye shapes.
Square
A square face has a strong jaw line and a broad forehead, plus the width and length are in the same proportions. To make a square face look longer and soften the angles, try narrow frame styles, frames that have more width than depth, and narrow ovals.
Color Analysis
The Vision Council's three keys to color analysis are:
- All people have either cool (blue-based) or warm (yellow-based) coloring.
- Everyone looks best in his or her own color base.
- Eyewear color should complement personal coloring.
The main factors that determine the best color palette are the colors of the skin, eyes and hair.
Skin. Skin tone is the prime element in determining coloring. All complexions fall into one of two color bases — blue (cool) or yellow (warm). A cool complexion has blue or pink undertones, and a warm complexion has a "peaches and cream" or yellow cast. Olive skin is considered cool because it is a mixture of blue and yellow.
In the United States, cool, blue-based complexions are more common than the yellow-based warm complexions. About 60 percent of the population are "cools."
Eyes. Eye colors usually are a secondary element in determining coloring because of the many variations of eye color. For example, blue eyes can range from a cool almost-violet to a pale blue-gray, which is warm. Brown eyes can vary from a light cider shade (warm) through a medium-brown to a cool almost-black.
Hair. Hair colors also are considered warm or cool. Strawberry blond, platinum, blue-black, white, auburn, salt-and-pepper and ash brown are cool. Warm hair colors include golden blond, brownish black, brown-gold, "carrot" and "dirty" gray.
Eyeglass Frame Colors
Once you have determined if you are "warm" or "cool," then you can find the eyeglass frame colors that will suit you the best.
Some examples of frame colors best for warm coloring are: camel, khaki, gold, copper, peach, orange, coral, off-white, fire-engine red, warm blue and blond tortoise.
For cool coloring, the best eyeglass frame hues are black, silver, rose-brown, blue-gray, plum, magenta, pink, jade, blue and demi-amber (darker) tortoise.
Which Colors Are "In" for Apparel and Eyeglass Frames?
If you keep abreast of fashion trends, then you probably pay attention to the colors that dominate each season on the runways, in fashion magazines and clothing stores. Retailers and manufacturers adjust their apparel and accessories colors according to what designers think consumers will consider most appealing at a given time. Eyewear designers create frames in the latest colors, too.
Pantone, the company that produces color palettes for graphic designers, fabric manufacturers, paint makers, interior decorators and more, releases color fashion reports each spring and fall. This fall, Pantone's report includes the hues shown here.
For women, the most popular apparel colors this fall and winter are:
- Bamboo, a warm, greenish yellow.
- Emberglow, an orangy coral.
- Honeysuckle, a strong, reddish pink.
- Phlox, a deep purple.
- Cedar, a soft, mossy green.
- Deep teal, a dark, bluish green.
- Coffee liqueur, a dark brown.
- Nougat, a warm camel tan.
- Orchid hush, a gray with light orchid undertones.
- Quarry, a versatile medium gray.
For men, this season's palette is similar, but emberglow is replaced by burnt sienna, a brownish orange. Honeysuckle is replaced by the deeper tone of raspberry wine. And orchid hush is deepened to the bluish gray color called cadet.
Just because these colors are in style right now for apparel, it doesn't mean your next eyeglass or sunglass frame necessarily should match.
Consider contrasting color schemes instead, such as a plum-colored frame with a nougat-colored jacket or an orange frame with a teal sweater dress. You could pair classic tortoise frames with a phlox-colored shirt or a black frame with a bamboo-colored handbag. As long as you're open to new color ideas, you'll never be accused of having boring eyewear.
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Monday, February 6, 2012
Where Eye Care Is A Luxury, Technology Offers Access by Larry Abramson
For millions of people in the developing world, one thing stands between them and a job or an education: a good pair of glasses. Quality eye care is often a luxury in areas where health services are scarce. So researchers and entrepreneurs are looking for breakthrough technologies to bring the cost of glasses and eye exams way down.
One group thinks that smartphones could help provide needed access to vision health care. Researchers at EyeNetra, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff company, are working on a device that would turn the phones into eye exam machines.
"Our goal, really, is to empower millions and millions around the world by bringing eye care to people's homes in a way that was never possible before," says EyeNetra's David Schafran.
EyeNetra has developed a $2 scope that health care workers can clip onto a smartphone. The patient stares through the eyepiece and follows colored lines that appear on the screen. Software installed on the phone translates responses into a measurement of "refractive error," which optometrists need to make a pair of glasses.
Schafran says it's just a question of leveraging the power of the smartphone.
"The phone is actually doing everything," he says. "It's projecting the images, and it's also doing the calculations — that's where all the smarts are."
EyeNetra is testing these devices in clinics all over the world. The hope is they will be accurate enough to change optometry both in developing countries and maybe even in more affluent areas.
'Science Helps,' But It's No Doctor
There is skepticism. The classic eye exam starts with an automated reading by an expensive machine, which EyeNetra aims to replace. Next, your doctor follows up with a series of questions like, "Which lens helps you see better: No. 1 or No. 2?" Kuldev Singh, an ophthalmologist at Stanford University, says for the patient to be happy, that second, subjective test is crucial.
"Science helps, but I don't think there's a substitute for actually checking to see if the patient is satisfied with the refraction that any automated device will find," Singh says.
EyeNetra says relying on the automated exam can be just as accurate — and makes the exam cheaper and more accessible.
Liquid Lenses
But once patients get their prescriptions, they still have to get the glasses made. EyeNetra's developers envision a network of providers that would use the prescription to provide the patient with glasses.
But in some places, patients are actually building their own eyewear. The Centre for Vision in the Developing World is collaborating with Dow Corning to make cheap glasses with lenses made of liquid silicon. Dow Corning's James Stephenson says the glasses are equipped with a little pump that can adjust the shape of this liquid lens.
"The user basically looks through the glasses," he says. "They cover up one eye, and they literally turn the pump until the object comes into very clear vision."
The biggest downside with these glasses — initially called Adspecs — is that they're pretty clunky looking. The developers are working on a sleeker, more stylish version.
Nothing Beats A Complete Eye Exam
According to their creators, these are promising technologies. But those who work in the developing world caution that many patients don't even know that they could see better, so they don't ask for help. And Singh says that when it comes to eye care, it's also important to go beyond the need for glasses.
According to Singh, these new technologies are "not a substitute for a complete exam that checks the eyes for potentially blinding diseases, like glaucoma and macular degeneration."
One group thinks that smartphones could help provide needed access to vision health care. Researchers at EyeNetra, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinoff company, are working on a device that would turn the phones into eye exam machines.
"Our goal, really, is to empower millions and millions around the world by bringing eye care to people's homes in a way that was never possible before," says EyeNetra's David Schafran.
EyeNetra has developed a $2 scope that health care workers can clip onto a smartphone. The patient stares through the eyepiece and follows colored lines that appear on the screen. Software installed on the phone translates responses into a measurement of "refractive error," which optometrists need to make a pair of glasses.
Schafran says it's just a question of leveraging the power of the smartphone.
"The phone is actually doing everything," he says. "It's projecting the images, and it's also doing the calculations — that's where all the smarts are."
EyeNetra is testing these devices in clinics all over the world. The hope is they will be accurate enough to change optometry both in developing countries and maybe even in more affluent areas.
'Science Helps,' But It's No Doctor
There is skepticism. The classic eye exam starts with an automated reading by an expensive machine, which EyeNetra aims to replace. Next, your doctor follows up with a series of questions like, "Which lens helps you see better: No. 1 or No. 2?" Kuldev Singh, an ophthalmologist at Stanford University, says for the patient to be happy, that second, subjective test is crucial.
"Science helps, but I don't think there's a substitute for actually checking to see if the patient is satisfied with the refraction that any automated device will find," Singh says.
EyeNetra says relying on the automated exam can be just as accurate — and makes the exam cheaper and more accessible.
Liquid Lenses
But once patients get their prescriptions, they still have to get the glasses made. EyeNetra's developers envision a network of providers that would use the prescription to provide the patient with glasses.
But in some places, patients are actually building their own eyewear. The Centre for Vision in the Developing World is collaborating with Dow Corning to make cheap glasses with lenses made of liquid silicon. Dow Corning's James Stephenson says the glasses are equipped with a little pump that can adjust the shape of this liquid lens.
"The user basically looks through the glasses," he says. "They cover up one eye, and they literally turn the pump until the object comes into very clear vision."
The biggest downside with these glasses — initially called Adspecs — is that they're pretty clunky looking. The developers are working on a sleeker, more stylish version.
Nothing Beats A Complete Eye Exam
According to their creators, these are promising technologies. But those who work in the developing world caution that many patients don't even know that they could see better, so they don't ask for help. And Singh says that when it comes to eye care, it's also important to go beyond the need for glasses.
According to Singh, these new technologies are "not a substitute for a complete exam that checks the eyes for potentially blinding diseases, like glaucoma and macular degeneration."
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