DE LOS REYES OPTICAL EYE HEALTH

::: Ask Us About UV Eye Protection - And Help Prevent Cataracts And Retinal Damage What You Don't See May Blind You

Your eyes and ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet light (UV) is that portion of the spectrum of invisible light below 286nm to 400nm. While the primary source of UV is the sun, other sources include welder's flash, VDT's (Video display terminals), flourescent lightning, high intensity mercury vapor lamps (for night sports and high crime areas), xenon arc lamps, and other lightning. UV is divided in to 3 segments designated as A, B, and C.

1. UVC (below 286nm) is effectively filtered by the earth's ozone layer.
2. UVB (286-320nm) is that solar energy which is the cause of sunburn and snow blindness and is absorbed by the cornea.
3. UVA (320-400nm) is that part of the invisible spectrum of particular concern to eyecare professionals. It is the most damaging of UV radiation, and is the radiation transmitted to the crystalline lens of the human eye.

Effects on the cornea

The cornea of the human eye absorbs the lower portion of the UVB below 300nm. Because of this absorption, the cornea is vulnerable to pterygia, pingueculae, snow blindness, and photokeratitis caused by UV. Patients with UV treated lenses minimize the effects of these problems.

UV cataracts

Constant bombardment of the eye by near UV (300-400nm) may result in photochemical eye damage. As the human eye ages, penetration of this near UV increases, generating more and more pigments which cause brown or sunshine cataracts as the eye becomes progressively more discolored. It is reported the 10% of all cataract operations are due to this type of UV exposure. UV treated lenses prevent development of this type of cataract as they do not allow UV exposure of the crystalline lens.

Other Adverse effects of UV

It is reported by leading experts that macular degeneration, solar retinitis, and cornea dystrophies are related to Uv exposure. Again, properly treated lenses can prevent these problems.

Who needs protection?

Those who work or play in the sun... For example; construction workers, farmers, utility workers, truck drivers, police, sports partcipants and spectators, skiers, boating enthusiasts, ife guards, beachgeors. Those in certain light environments... If you work in an environment which is brightly lit with flourescent fixtures;spend hours in front of a computer terminal, or your work involves you being in an operating room with special bilirubin lights, then you, too, would benefit by having UV-absorptive lenses. Those taking certain medications...There are many photosensitizing drugs on the market today, such as certain tranquilizers, diuretics, anti-diabetic and anti-hypertensive medications, oral contraceptives, antibiotics and even artificial sweeteners such as cyclamates. If you take any of these on a regular basis, you should consider UV filtering lenses.

What can I do?

Ask us about dispensing UV lenses or sunglasses. Even your present eyewear may be treated for UV protection we will be glad to answer your questions and see that your eyes are adequately protected from UV radiation damage.

::: The Role of Nutrition in Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)

Popeye, the spinach-guzzling cartoon character, may have been on to something after all. Although it may not help build huge muscles, there's now solid evidence that certain nutrients found in spinach and other leafy green vegetables may help prevent or slow down age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

What is AMD? (Age-related Macular Degeneration)

AMD is a serious progressive eye disease that causes visual loss leading to blindness in elderly population.

AMD is initially characterized by the thinning of the macula and its failure to function, probably caused by the presence of early stage drusen for a long time causing "blank" areas in the central vision (Dry AMD). It can progress into Wet AMD which damages eye sight by causing new, weak blood vessels to grow and leak into the back of the eye, causing vision loss.

The early or late stage of AMD affects people over the age of 40. Potential risk factors thought to influence the potential for development of AMD includes:

Antioxidants

To understand the connection between AMD and diet, it's important to first understand what antioxidants are, and why they are important to your health.

Antioxidants are a group of vitamins, minerals and carotenoids that form one of the human body's first lines of defense against "free radicals".

Free radicals are a natural by-product of the body's metabolic process that can damage or even kill health cells throughout the body - including those in the eyes. One of the roles of antioxidants is to seek out and neutralize the free radicals. Antioxidants includes Vitamins C and E, as well as carotenoids such as beta-carotene.

Healthy, well-nourished people usually have an ample supply of antioxidants to help protect them against free radical damage. But people whose antioxidants levels are low due to unbalance diets or other factors may be at increase risk for AMD and other diseases.

The Importance of Lutein and Zeaxanthin

The macula is the small "spot" of central vision-related cells in the center of the retina. If you could see it, it would appear yellow. This is because the macular pigment contains high levels of antioxidant carotenoids, the yellow pigments found in many fruits and vegetables. In particular, two important carotenoids - lutein and zeaxanthin (loo-teen and zee-zan-thin) - make up the bulk of the macular pigment. What's surprising, however, is that our bodies do not make their own supply of lutein (although zeaxanthin appears to be made in the retina from lutein). This means that our supply of these two carotenoids must come entirely from outside - from what we eat. Research is starting to show that the more we eat of foods high in lutein, the higher the density of our macular pigment. Conversely, the less lutein we consume, the lower our macular pigment density.

So, why is the macular pigment density so special? One very good reason is that people with low macular pigment densities have been shown to be more prone to developing AMD. In part, this could be the result of there being fewer antioxidants available to protect the macula from free radical damage. Another good reason has more recently come to light: the macular pigment may help protect against damage from blue light.

Blue Light Damage

Visible blue light, much like ultraviolet light, can not actually be "seen", but over time, it can cause damage to the retina, especially the important central vision-related cells in the macula. Exposure to this type of blue light has been identified as another risk factor for AMD.

Fortunately, the latest research indicated that the lutein and zeaxanthin in the macular pigment may absorb blue light before it can cause damage. In fact, one recent study showed that a diet rich in lutein and zeaxanthin helped reduce the risk factor of AMD more than four other types of diets. But unfortunately, evidence also shows that many people are actually consuming less carotenoid-rich foods. The best natural sources of lutein and zeaxanthin are colorful fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, spinach and kiwi fruit---foods which do not always appear on many tables.

There is no doubt that the best way to stock up on vital nutrients is to eat a rage of healthy foods. However, that can sometimes be difficult. If you don't think you are getting enough lutein, zeaxanthin or other important nutrients in the foods you eat, ask your eye care professional for advice on dietary supplements.