Smoking Linked to More Vision Problems
Here's another reason to stop smoking. Researchers have just discovered that a long history of smoking is a huge risk for developing uveitis. The case-control study was preformed in retrospect, yet is highly respected and relevant to the vision industry.
Patients that were located in an uveitis clinic were more likely to report present or past smoking activity than patients without ocular inflammation (35.5% versus 23.6%, P<0.001), according to the University of California San Francisco. After making some adjustments for race, gender, age, income, etc, the smokers were more than twice as likely to experience uveitis than the people that never picked up a cigarette. This was reported in Ophthalmology March edition. When looked at separately, the results played out in the same fashion
In the water-soluble elements of cigarette smoke, there are oxygen free radicals that can lead to vascular inflammation, causing great issues to your vision. Since participants filled out a survey about their smoking, the quantity was not recorded. Hearing and vision can face many adversities. Make sure you protect your vision hearing health!
Diagnosing Cataracts In Your Vision
An optometrist, ophthalmologist, or general practitioner can let you know if you have cataracts, but only an ophthalmologist can perform cataract surgery. An ophthalmologist is a physician who specializes in eye care, and can diagnose cataracts from your description of signs and symptoms or visual acuity tests. Even specialized tests can be used to evaluate particular problems with your vision.
Standard eye examinations include visual acuity testing, tonometry, and ophthalmoscopy. Many of us have endured these exams, as the Big 'E' chart is common place in the eye doctor's office. Tonometry is performed to rule out glaucoma by using a hand-held instrument that measures intraocular pressure.
Most people with cataracts do not go directly for surgery to correct the disease. Many choose to wait and monitor the progression of their vision. Small tasks here and there that help you see better such as reading large print or improving your prescription can ease the transition with your vision.
The Intel Reader Helps the Visually Impaired
For those that are vision-impaired, reading their once favorite magazine or book from an acclaimed author could be a thing of the past. Thanks to a modern technological revolution, the days of reading a book may be revisited. Intel has been known for the future-driven technology, and a new invention by the company has those suffering from vision loss taken aback by these new possibilities.
Intel has recently launched its Intel Reader, a new text-to-speech handheld that is revolutionizing the way we see, or hear, literature. At first glance it resembles a bulky digital camera. Be sure not to judge this device by its looks, as it can simultaneously scan and read out loud any printed material in real time. The way Intel describes it as point, shoot, and listen.
The bottom of the Intel Reader houses a sophisticated camera that can see and interpret the text and "reads" the words while displaying it in large characters on the Intel Reader's LCD screen. Users may choose either a male or female voice, and words are highlighted as it moves along. This is another thrilling invention brought to the world of helping those with hearing and vision problems. Hearing programs as well as vision programs in schools will be enhanced with the application of the Intel Reader.
Smoking and Vision Loss in the Elderly
Many people are aware of the dangers that smoking pose on your short-term and long-term health, yet to quit smoking is easier said than done. A part of the body that is least expected to be affected by smoking is the eye, yet as we grow older and continue to smoke, a disease called Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) can take away our sharp central vision.
Age-related Macular Degeneration can occur in two different forms: wet and dry. Wet or advanced AMD happens when abnormal blood vessels that are weak and can leak fluid, grow behind the retina. Without proper medical attention from an Ophthalmologist, damage occur immediately and vision loss is soon to follow. A symptom of AMD is straight lines that appear to be wavy.
Smoking is very dangerous for the elderly, and researchers at the University of California's Eye Institute found that it increases the risk of AMD. Just like the signs of hearing loss found through hearing programs for Opthalmologists, vision loss can be identified and treated. Investigators hypothesize that smoking increases the risk of AMD by contaminated the blood that goes to the eye, destroying the ability to convey pigments. Just another reason to stop!
The Path to Perfect Vision: Treating Myopia
The procedure in which Opthalmologists treat Myopia has not always been as it is today. There was a long path of erroneous surgical methods and practices that have since been removed from society. Myopia is a growing concern in the population and more people are being diagnosed with the disorder. With recent vision discoveries, eye doctors can now treat myopia and bring clear vision a bit closer to reality for some.
Hearing and vision have been the subjects of experimentation for ages. It comes as no surprise that understanding vision and hearing in important, and was worth the psuedo-disasters that ensued. During WWII, the Japanese developed radial keratotomy in which he cut through to the inner surface of the cornea to flatten its curvature and diminish the onset of nearsightedness. This was only a temporary relief, as years later the subjects experienced blurry vision due to a weakened eye.
In the 70's Russian surgeons observed the surgery and changed the procedure to only cut on the outside of the cornea. Results improved, but the procedure as a whole was still rudimentary. As the years passed, modern refractive surgery was developed utilizing lasers that virtually leave no marks or scars. As the future approaches, more and more patients are seeing the best vision results from LASIK, seeing 20/20 in a matter of hours!