Healthy Cardiovascular Health Also Promotes Good Eye Health

 In a new study published by the American Journal of Medicine, investigators found that a healthy lifestyle – typically associated with cardiovascular health benefits – also lowered ocular diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy. The conclusions suggest that attempts to prevent cardiovascular diseases might potentially counteract ocular ones as well.

Nearly 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from ocular diseases. The consequences of these diseases are vision impairment and blindness. About half of these cases are preventable; the leading causes of eye issues include age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma.

"Earlier studies have observed associations between eye diseases and individual lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, or hypertension," said lead investigator Duke Appiah, Ph.D., MPH, Department of Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA. "It is known that these metrics of ideal cardiovascular health do not work alone and may interact additively to result in diseases. However, prior to our research, no other studies have comprehensively evaluated the association of all of the metrics of ideal cardiovascular health with ocular diseases."

The findings show that practicing a healthy lifestyle and implementing beneficial habits are both factors in achieving cardiovascular strength. Age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract, and glaucoma can all be minimized by having an active, healthy lifestyle. Those with optimal cardiovascular health had 97 percent lower odds for diabetic retinopathy than individuals who did not.

"Overall, we believe that primary prevention and early detection approaches of ocular diseases are important, considering that over half of all deaths from ocular diseases and cardiovascular diseases are known to be preventable," commented co-investigators Noah De La Cruz, MPH, and Obadeh Shabaneh, MPH, both from the Department of Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA.

At Rohr Eye & Laser Center, we strive to provide excellent customer service. We specialize in assisting patients with ocular diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataract by means of laser vision correction. Contact us today for more information.

 

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit https://www.michiganlasik.com/ to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.

Laser Treatment Success in Glaucoma Patients Discovered by Researchers

 

Glaucoma is a condition that causes buildup from fluid and pressure inside the eye. If untreated, it can eventually lead to blindness. Over 70 million people worldwide are diagnosed with glaucoma. Therapies to help remediate pressure include eye drops (which help reduce fluid produced by the eye) or surgery to unblock the eye’s drainage system.

Thanks to a study conducted by the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care, a non-invasive treatment called Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) might provide glaucoma relief. This process uses a laser to modify eye tissue and release fluid, which allows drainage to occur.

The MSM and MUHC research teams reviewed 252 SLT procedures on 198 patients diagnosed with open-angle glaucoma. Following surgery, 33.6 percent of patients achieved a 20 percent or higher reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP) after two months. At six months, 38.5 percent of patients had diminished IOP. Overall, patients with a higher baseline IOP had considerable reductions in pressure.

"There's been a lack of evidence about how well SLT works, how safe it is and the ideal candidate," said senior author Jella An, MD, an assistant professor of ophthalmology and a fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist at MU Health Care's Mason Eye Institute. "Because so little is known about SLT, there is a lot of apprehension among specialists about using it as a first-line treatment for glaucoma. Our research findings have helped me redefine the ideal patient for this procedure."

Rohr Eye & Laser Center specializes in eye laser treatment therapy. Our goal is to get you the best vision possible. For more information regarding laser treatment success in glaucoma patients, read this article by Science Daily.

 

Rohr Eye & Laser Center offers the most advanced technology to provide personalized and extraordinary care to our patients. Whether your goal is to maintain or improve your natural vision, we are here to help you. Call us at 877-579-0202 or visit www.michiganlasik.com to schedule an appointment today.

Written by the digital marketing staff at Creative Programs & Systems: www.cpsmi.com.