Artificial Corneas Prove Promising for Transplants

A recent Swedish study proves artificial corneas may be a promising alternative to donor corneas. The study involved 10 patients with corneal damage and significant vision loss between the ages of 18 and 75. These individuals were the first in the world to be fitted with biosynthetic tissue as opposed to human donor corneas. Two years following the surgery, the patients had not experienced any serious reactions or complications.

Corneal transplants can be necessary in conditions such as kerotoconus (corneal damage where there is gradual thinning and bulging of the cornea). Disease of the cornea is one of the major causes of blindness worldwide and is often due to trauma or infection. In many parts of the world, there is a shortage of corneal donors causing waiting lists for the surgery.

According to Ophthalmologist Clayton Falknor, M.D., “A shortage of corneal donors is not typically an issue in the United States due to the excellent eye bank system. We are normally able to secure a donor cornea as necessary. However, globally this is a serious issue and research into synthetic alternatives is very important.”

Initial results from the Swedish study show that biosynthetic corneal implants could offer a solution to the current donor shortage worldwide. However, as the first study of its kind, far more research and much larger numbers of patients is needed to confirm the safe use of biosynthetic corneas.

SOURCE:
http://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/news/top-stories/health/partial-success-of-artificial-corneas-1-984091

Vodka Eyeballing

Protect Your Eyesight

Whether you have glasses, contacts, or 20/20 vision after LASIK, it’s very important to protect your eyes.

The University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Ophthalmology reports an estimate of “… 1.1 to 2.4 million eye injuries occur each year, and about 42,000 of these injuries require hospitalization.”

While accidents are common for eye injuries, some younger people intentionally put their eyes at risk in a new drinking game called Vodka Eyeballing.

Yes, you read that right.

People are actually drinking through their eyes, in an attempt to get drunk faster. With Vodka Eyeballing, a person will take a bottle of vodka and put the opening up to their eye and pour the vodka directly onto the eye. The idea is that the alcohol will be absorbed through the eye and into the bloodstream faster than drinking it. However, there are no actual facts that prove this is the case.

The eye can only absorb a very limited amount of alcohol. The actual alcohol can do more damage and harm to your eyesight – burning through your cornea and causing permanent damage. Repeated often enough, the alcohol may even cause permanent blindness.

While not all eye-related injuries can be avoided, this is one instance where it can be.

Women – More Susceptible to Vision Problems than Men

According to Prevent Blindness America, “Every year, more women than men are diagnosed with eye diseases and conditions such as cataracts, dry eye, Fuchs’ dystrophy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and Sjögren’s syndrome.  The “Vision Problems in the U.S.” study from Prevent Blindness America (PBA) and the National Eye Institute (NEI) shows that of the more than 3.6 million Americans age 40 and older who suffer from visual impairment, including blindness, 2.3 million are women” (Women Must Take Steps to Avoid Vision Loss, March 27, 2012).

Hereditary diseases aside, these problems are often caused by hormones, or the fluctuations in hormones like pregnancy or menopause. Sometimes they can even be triggered by birth control, which is a hormone regulating medication. Even keeping your eye makeup for too long can cause problems with your eyes.

At the Eye Clinic of Austin, we recommend to our female patients that they pay close attention to their eyesight while pregnant, when changing prescription pills or going on new medication, and to switch out their makeup every six months to a year. If you feel that your glasses or contacts are not helping as much as they used to, make sure to have an eye exam. Mention to your doctor any new prescription changes so that he may accurately diagnose the underlying issue.

Your eyes are how you see the world. Keep them in great health.