Don’t Ignore
Sudden Vision Loss
We all have a slow loss of vision over the years, and require a simple change of glasses. The problem could be the onset of cataracts, glaucoma or macular degeneration. But the sudden loss of vision for only a few seconds may be an early sign of a transient ischemic stroke (TIA) or a mini-stroke.
If you suddenly can’t see, this is a medical emergency as it may be due to a blockage of the carotid arteries that supply blood to the brain. By early diagnosis of the cause and prompt treatment a major stroke, or what’s often called a “brain attack”, can be prevented.
Macular degeneration:
The number one cause of blindness in North America.
Most people develop the dry form which is less dangerous. But about 10 percent have the wet type which progresses more quickly. Ophthalmologists, for several years, have been injecting the eye with what’s called “vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors (anti-VEGE).” Researchers claim that anti-VEGE reduces vision loss by 41 percent and the onset of blindness by 46 percent. The other advantage is that patients treated with anti-VEGE are less likely to need long care facilities. Be sure to have regular eye examinations so that early treatment can be started if macular degeneration is diagnosed.
When’s the right time for
Cataract surgery
Are you putting off getting a cataract removed because you’re too busy? Or wonder if an elderly parent is too old to have this operation? I’ve always cautioned never to have surgery unless it’s needed. But a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association says that delaying surgery can be associated with unintended consequences.
One million U.S. seniors were diagnosed with cataracts between 2002 and 2009. Those who had cataracts removed had 16 percent fewer hip fractures than those who delayed the surgery. When weighing the risks, complications of this surgery are now rare, while those who have hip fractures have a 50 percent chance of dying in the next 6 to 12 months, 25 percent chance of ending their life in a wheelchair and only a 25 percent chance of returning to normal activities.
Faced with devastating consequences of poor vision, it may be risky to delay cataract surgery when vision is impaired.
How to decrease the risk of
Age-related Macular Degeneration
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affecting part of the retina that allows central vision, is a leading cause of blindness as we age.T here’s no 100 percent cure but you can take steps to decrease the risk. For instance, smokers can stop smoking, as they’re 6 times more likely to develop this disease.
Light coloured eyes should avoid excessive exposure to sunlight by wearing dark glasses. These eyes allow 100 times more light to reach the retina, one factor in developing AMD.
Dietary changes are helpful such as eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Plant pigments such as lutein and zeaxanthin are present in the macula and are increased by eating cooked kale, spinach collard greens, Swiss chard and corn.
Nutritional supplements containing lutein and zeaxanthin have been linked to a 57 percent decreased risk of AMD.
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