Eye Can Name That Tune

 

Can you match the song title to the artist?

1. Blue eyes.

2. I only have eyes for you.

3. The night has 1000 eyes.

4. Bright Eyes.

5. Eyes without a face.

6. Green-eyed Lady.

A. The flamingos.

B. Art Garfunkel.

C. Sugar Loaf

D. Billy Idol.

E. Bobby Vee

Answers

1D

2A

3F

4B

5E

6C

 

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Kidney Health Through Eye Scans

 

Optometrists can greatly contribute to not only ocular but overall wellness of patients.

In some of my past blogs, I discussed that retinal vascular findings may reflect cardiovascular problems through the smaller veins in the eyes. The kidney and the eye are structurally and functionally similar. The diseases of these organs may present similarly and by way of common pathways. Research suggests 3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help track the progression of kidney disease which could revolutionize the monitoring of kidney disease, which often progresses without symptoms in early stages. The technology has the potential to support diagnosis as current testing cannot detect the condition until kidney function is down to half.

Researchers have found highly magnified images used to detect retinal changes were a non-invasive way to track disease progression. These researchers at Edinburgh University, in the UK reported a link between the findings in the eye on Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans and renal pathology.

The research team continues to investigate the potential of using OCT imaging to reliably track kidney injury, and monitor treatment responses, As I've mentioned in some of my past blogs, optometrists can play a significant role in the overall well-being of their patients, not just the ocular health. The veins in the eyes can reflect cardiovascular problems, and research suggests that 3D eye scans can reveal vital clues about kidney health that could help monitor the progression of kidney disease, which often presents without symptoms in the early stages.

The kidney and the eye share structural and functional similarities, and diseases of these organs may present similarly and through common pathways. Current testing can't detect kidney disease until half of the kidney function is lost, but highly magnified images used to detect retinal changes can non-invasively track disease progression. Researchers at Edinburgh University in the UK discovered a link between the findings in the eye on OCT scans and renal pathology. The team looked at OCT images from 204 patients at different stages of kidney disease, including transplant patients, alongside 86 healthy volunteers. They found that patients with chronic kidney disease had thinner retinas compared with healthy volunteers.

The research team is continuing to investigate the potential of using OCT imaging to reliably track kidney injury, monitor treatment responses, and predict outcomes in future studies of patients with chronic kidney disease who do not yet require dialysis.

Sources:

www.reviewofoptometry.com

www.sciencedaily.com

www.ophthamalogytimes.com

www.ed.ac.uk

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Menopause and the Eyes

 

Many of us know the symptoms, whether it is from personal experience or knowing someone experiencing menopause. Menopause happens because your hormone levels drop, and you stop ovulating and having periods.

Hot flashes, night sweats, palpitations, reduced sex drive, joint stiffness, Poor sleep, headaches, anxiety, mood, changes, memory, and problems with concentration, but most people don't know that menopause can affect the eyes.

Various eye changes may occur during times of fluctuating hormone levels. Around the time of menopause, eyesight may be slightly altered. Eye shape may change at this time.

Other problems of the eyes commonly seen during this life stage:

• Dry eye syndrome
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma
• Blurry vision
• Corneas can begin to stiffen when estrogen levels are reduced.

The good news is that some eye issues may be resolved once hormone levels balance out.

Not every person will experience these symptoms and conditions during this stage of life. Stay on top of vision and eye health as you would any other system in the body. Regular eye checkups are vital in finding eye diseases early.

Sources:

www.clearblue.com

www.menopause.org

www.gennev.com

www.goodRX.com

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Can Anemia Impact the Eyes

Anemia is a condition in which the blood doesn't have enough healthy red blood cells. This leads to reduced oxygen to the body's organs including the eyes.

Anemia can affect the eyes, especially the retina or the inside of the eye which captures images and sends those to the brain. Sometimes anemia can cause bleeding in the eyes and loss of vision.

Certain types of anemia can cause specific changes in the eye.

• Swelling of the retina
• Damage to the optic nerve
• Blockage of the artery and veins that serve the retina

Different types of Anemia will cause specific changes in the eye

• Sickle cell anemia- Blood cells that change shape, or "sickle," can get trapped in blood vessels, blocking the blood flow. When this blockage occurs in the small blood vessels in the inner lining of the eyes, it can cause vision problems resulting in abnormal blood vessel growth and thinning of the retina.
• Iron deficiency Anemia-In moderate or severe cases of iron deficiency anemia, the inside layer of the lower eyelid is very pale pink or yellow instead of red.
• Vitamin B12 Deficiency-It mostly results in progressive, bilateral, painless loss of vision associated with abnormal color vision and central scotomas.
• Thalassemia-Ocular changes and complications could vary significantly among patients with β-thalassemia. There are various symptoms described; ocular manifestations range from completely asymptomatic to decreased visual acuity, visual field defects, color vision anomalies, cataracts, nyctalopia, retinopathy, and optic neuropathy.
• Hemolytic Anemia-It can cause complications in the retina and yellowing of the whites of the eye. Hemolytic anemia – This blood disorder causes red blood cells to be destroyed faster than they are made.

Sources:

www.allaboutvision.com

www.northernillinoiseyeclinic.com

www.mayoclinic.org

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Did you know?

 

1. Bees have 5 eyes.

2. Eagle vision can reach up to 4 to 5 times further than a person with perfect vision.

3. Owls are the only bird that can see the color blue.

4. Having red hair and blue eyes is the rarest combination in humans, occurring naturally in only 1% of the human population.

5. Dolphins sleep with 1 eye open.

National Opticians Month

 

January is National Opticians Month. It was developed to help educate consumers about the importance of an optician on their eyecare team, and the role they play.

Opticians receive specialized training to help ophthalmologists and optometrists before, during, and after your exam. An optician is an eye care specialist, who helps patients choose the right eyeglasses, contact lenses, or other corrective devices after an optometrist or ophthalmologist has evaluated their eyes, and writes a prescription.

An Optician often spends more time with customers than anyone else during the vision care experience. Opticians work in the offices of optometrists or offices of physicians but do not make diagnoses. Other opticians worked in stores that sell eyeglasses, contact lenses, visual aids, and other optical goods. These stores may be:

• Stand-alone businesses
• Parts of larger retail establishments, such as department stores.
• Hospitals or clinics
• Lab Manufacturing

Other duties of an optician include:

• Ensuring prescriptions are a match to eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, and contact lenses.
• Using special equipment to measure patients' pupillary distance, vertex distance, eye size, and temple length.
• Maintaining records of patient purchases and payments.
• Submitting vision insurance information for patients and recommending to them, what insurance will cover for eyewear.
• Advising patients on eyewear features such as lens coatings and frame styles to fit their individual needs, preferences, and personal style.
• Selling added eyewear accessories.

Come and see your favorite optician to guide you in the use of your new insurance benefits for 2024.

Sources:

www.clevelandclinic.org

www.allaboutvision.com

www.bls.gov

www.opticianEDU.org

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Types of Eye Tests

 

Eye tests are one of the main parts of an examination. There are several tests included in a comprehensive eye exam. Each one evaluates different aspects of vision and eye health. 

• Visual acuity test is a test that checks your vision. Your “visual acuity” is the medical term for how well you can see. 
• Visual refraction- an eye exam that measures a person's prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. Normal vision occurs when light is focused directly on the retina rather than in front or behind it. 
• Visual field test this test measures how much you can see out of the corners of your eyes. It can determine if you have blind spots in your visual field. If you have blind spots (called scotoma) in your vision, then this test will track where they are. 
• Slit-Lamp test- A slit lamp is a special microscope with a bright light attached to it. Your eye care specialist will use it to look at the different parts of your eyes. They’ll adjust the light to see into and through the layers of your eyes. They’ll check the overall health of your eyes and diagnose any issues or symptoms you’re having. 
• Tonometry- is a diagnostic test that measures your intraocular pressure (IOP), or the pressure inside your eye. Tonometry can help your healthcare provider figure out if you’re at risk for glaucoma.  
• Corneal Topography- is an eye test that charts the landscape of your cornea. It’s quick and painless, and nothing touches your eye. The test produces a series of color-coded maps that your provider uses to diagnose and manage various eye conditions. Corneal topography is essential to pre-operative planning for LASIK and other surgeries. 
• Ophthalmoscopy-is a test that allows your eye doctor, to look at the back of your eye called the fundus. 

 More testing may be needed based on the results of the earlier tests to confirm or rule out possible problems, to clarify uncertain findings, or to provide a more in-depth assessment. 

 

After the examination, the doctor will assess and evaluate the testing results to find a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan. He or she will discuss with you the nature of any visual or eye health problems found and explain available treatment options. In some cases, referral for consultation with, or treatment by, another doctor of optometry or other health care provider may be indicated. If you have questions about any diagnosed eye or vision conditions, or treatment recommendations, don't hesitate to ask your doctor for more information or explanation. All of these findings exam after exam will also help to track changes in the physical health of the eyes as well as vision changes and in some cases overall health.

 

 

Sources:

www.humana.com  

www.carecredit.com  

ww.webmd.com  

www.aoa.org

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