Gold, Can it Restore Vision?

The use of gold for medicinal purposes dates back 5,000 years. It has been used in dentistry and traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments, including palpitations, seizures, smallpox, and skin infections.

In Medieval Europe, alchemists created numerous recipes for elixirs known as "aurum potabile," which translates to "drinkable gold" in English. These elixirs contained minute particles of gold suspended in a volatile oil.

In the 17th century, a gold cordial advocated by Nicholas Culpepper was included in "Pharmacopeias" as a treatment for melancholy, fainting, and fevers.

Gold ions have been used to treat. rheumatoid arthritis to reduce joint pain. A recent study at Brown University suggests that gold nanoparticles-microscopic bit of gold thousands of times thinner than a human hair-have the potential to restore vision in individuals with macular degeneration and other retinal disorders.

In the 19th century, a mixture of gold chloride and sodium chloride was used to treat syphilis. In 1890, German bacteriologist Robert Koch discovered that gold compounds could inhibit the growth of the bacteria that causes tuberculosis.

However, long-term exposure to gold does have its downsides.

Over the years, gold and its compounds have been evaluated and used in the medical treatment and diagnosis of several types of cancer, HIV, and malaria.

Currently, a new treatment using gold nanoparticles is being tested on mice. These nanoparticles are combined with antibodies to create a retinal prosthesis. The particles are then injected into the vitreous chamber of the eye, where infrared relays are used to activate them. Research has shown that these nanoparticles can remain in the retina for months without causing major toxicity.

As with most studies conducted on mice, there is a good chance that the findings will translate to humans. This breakthrough represents an important first step in medical advancements.

Sources:

www.brown.edu

www.healthline.com

www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Photo source:

www.pinterest.com/pin/68679963052853644

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Another Reason to Protect Yourself from Lyme Disease

In Pennsylvania, 25 different tick species have been identified, four of the species commonly found in the Pittsburgh region: The American dog tick, the black-legged tick, the lone star tick, and the groundhog tick. The Pittsburgh area has a particularly high population of black-legged ticks (also known as deer ticks), especially during the spring, summer, and early fall months, which typically run from April to October.

The Penn State Department of Entomology is an excellent resource for learning about ticks and Lyme disease. www.ento.psu.edu

Black-legged ticks are the main carriers of Lyme disease and can bite humans at any stage of their life cycle. It is important to remove a tick within 24 hours of attachment to prevent the transmission of the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. Therefore, finding and removing ticks from the body promptly is crucial.

Tips to Prevent Tick Bites:

 

1. Create a Tick-Free Zone Around Your House

• Keep your lawn well-manicured.
• Establish a tick barrier between your lawn and taller grass or brush.
• Have a mulch barrier.
• Discourage Tick-Friendly Habitats

2. Enjoy the Outdoors Safely: 

• Avoid wooded or overgrown areas.
• Stay on marked trails when hiking.
• Keep away from tall grass and uncleared regions of the forest floor.

3. Protect Yourself, Your Children, and Your Pets: 

• Wear protective clothing. Long sleeves and long pants tucked into socks.  It may help to wrap a heavy tape like masking or duct tape at the bottom of pant leg opening backward so the ticks stick to the tape. 
• Wear closed-toe shoes; avoid going barefoot or wearing sandals.
• Use insect repellents such as DEET on your skin and Permethrin on your clothes.  Review safety information and assess the risks and benefits of these products. Certain repellents are considered to be unsafe for young children, so use discretion and consult your doctor before using them. Do not use these products on children under 3 years of age.

4. Perform Tick Checks After Being Outdoors: 

• The risk of contracting Lyme disease increases the longer a tick remains attached to the skin. Therefore, it is important to conduct tick checks to remove them before they can transmit the disease.
• Shower daily and look for ticks in common attachment areas, including behind the knees, underarms, scalp, navel, groin, buttocks, and back.

5. Remove Ticks Immediately:

• If you find a tick, use tweezers to grasp it and pull it straight out of the skin, ensuring that the entire tick is removed. In the first few days to about a month after infection, a person may experience the initial symptoms of Lyme disease, which include:

1. Erythema migrant (a target-like rash) at the bite site
2. Fever and chills
3. Headache
4. Muscle and joint aches
5. Enlarged lymph nodes
6. Fatigue

If Lyme disease is not treated promptly, a person may experience more severe symptoms, such as:

1. Headache & stiff neck
2. Erythema migrants spreading to other parts of the body
3. Facial drooping on one or both sides of the face
4. musculoskeletal pain
5. Dizziness
6.  Heart Palpitations
7. Shooting pain, numbness, and tingling in hands and feet
8. If pregnant Lyme can damage the fetus

Some patients with Lyme disease may experience a range of eye symptoms, which can vary depending on the stage of the disease. Approximately 11% of patients may develop conjunctivitis, commonly known as "pink eye." Other symptoms can include inflammation of the eye tissue, pain in the eyes, swelling of the optic nerve, and an increase in floaters.

An eye doctor can detect signs of Lyme disease during a comprehensive eye exam. If the eye doctor suspects Lyme disease, they will recommend consulting your primary care provider.  Lyme can be detected through a combination of symptom evaluation, medical history, and blood tests and can be treated effectively with antibiotics such as doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime, are crucial for a complete recovery. In some cases, intravenous antibiotics like ceftriaxone or penicillin may be necessary for more severe cases. 

Sources:

www.hopkinslyme.org

www.VSP.com

www.pittsburghbotanicgarden.org

www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

www.mayoclinic.org

Photo source:

www.cdc.gov

www.commons.wikimedia.org

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Geographic Atrophy

Many of you may have seen the commercial featuring Henry Winkler, also known as "The Fonz," which raises awareness about geographic atrophy (GA). So, what exactly is GA?

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the slow deterioration of the macula, the central area of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision found at the back of the eye. Geographic atrophy (GA) is a more advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration, which is the most common type of AMD.

With GA, certain areas of the retina experience cell death, known as atrophy. The progression of this disease varies among individuals, leading to the development of dim or blind spots, called scotomas, in the areas affected by cell death. GA can result in progressive and permanent vision loss.GA affects your ability to drive, read, do crafts and hobbies you enjoy, and even recognize faces.

Generally, geographic atrophy (GA) is bilateral, meaning it is found in both eyes. Over 8 million people worldwide have GA, being 20% of all individuals with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

While researchers do not fully understand the exact causes of the changes in the eye that lead to GA, it is believed that part of the immune system known as the complement cascade plays a role. Additionally, genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to the condition.

In 2023, the FDA approved two new drugs for the treatment of geographic atrophy (GA): Syfovre and Izervay. These new treatments offer hope to both patients and ophthalmologists. While they are effective in slowing the progression of GA, they require direct injection into the eye. The drugs work by calming the immune response to prevent damage to retinal cells. Clinical studies have shown that these treatments can slow the development of GA by 14% to 20%. However, it is important to note that neither drug has been proven to improve or restore lost vision.

Sources:

www.preventblindness.org

www.clevelandclinic.org

www.macularsociety.org

www.aao.org

Photo Source:

www.imagebank.asrs.org

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Eye Can Name That Tune

Can you match the song title to the artist?

 

1.     My Eyes Adored You

2.     Close My Eyes Forever

3.      Doctor, My Eyes

4.     Sad Eyes

5.     I Can See Clearly Now

6.     You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

 

A.    Jackson Browne

B.    Johnny Nash

C.    Bachman–Turner Overdrive

D.    Robert John

E.     Lita Ford/Ozzy Osbourne

F.     Frankie Valli

Answers:

1.     F

2.     E

3.     A

4.     D

5.     B

6.     C

 

 

Optical Illusions

Optical illusions can involve color, light, and patterns to create deceptive or misleading images. They occur when your eyes and brain struggle to agree on what they perceive. There are three types of optical illusions:

• literal illusions
• Physiological illusions
• Cognitive delusions

The most widely recognized optical illusion is the mesmerizing phenomenon of a rainbow, which we perceive as an enchanting arc of colors rather than a tangible object suspended in the sky. The rainbow's appearance depends on the observer's position, the light source (Sun), and the horizon. This captivating display arises from the complex processes of reflection and refraction of light, both of which intricately alter the direction of light waves, creating the vibrant spectrum that captivates our imagination.

Another famous illusion that gained attention about ten years ago was the debate over the color of "the dress." Some people believed the dress to be blue and black, while others perceived the dress to be white and gold.

The explanation for these differing perceptions lies in the original image being overexposed, which made the illumination source uncertain. People made assumptions about how the dress was lit, affecting their perception of the colors. If someone mentally removes the blue shadows, the dress appears in bright colors—the white and gold dress. However, since artificial light tends to have a yellowish tint, then some people view the image under this type of lighting, these colors are filtered out, and the dress appears blue and black in the image.

Sources:

www.nationalgeographic.org

www.theguardian.com

www.nyu.edu

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Mixing up Eyedrops with Nail Glue

 

A viral TikTok video has been shared over 41,000 times, highlighting a troubling trend: many people are making the same mistake.

Eyedrops, eardrops, nail glue, and eyelash glue often come in similar-looking bottles. Here are a few tips to help you avoid confusing these substances:

1. Store these different products separately.
2. Keep them in their original boxes.
3. Familiarize yourself with the names of the eyedrops and their cap colors.
4. Read the label on the dropper bottle aloud as a reminder.
5. Use ear drops, and eye drops at different times to minimize confusion.
6. Dispose of any leftover medications properly.

If you accidentally get glue in your eye, remain calm. Immediately rinse your eyes with lukewarm water for 15 minutes, starting from the inner corner and flowing outward toward your ear. After rinsing, seek medical attention as soon as possible. Remember: DO NOT! Use any solvents to remove the glue!

Sources:

www.msn.com

www.aao.org

www.allaboutvision.com

www.cbsnews.com

Photo sources:

www.aao.org

www.sciencealert.com

www.wokv.com

#PearleVisionRobinson

#DrClaudiaWendel

#PittsburghOptometrist

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Women Tend to Experience More Eye Related Conditions Than Men

In general, women tend to live longer than men. However, this longevity also puts them at a greater risk for age-related vision conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration.

Another contributing factor is that many women wear eye makeup and may not remove it thoroughly. Oils and other ingredients in makeup can increase the risk of infections.

Hormonal changes during events like menopause, which includes a decrease in estrogen levels, can lead to issues such as dry eye. Postmenopausal women are twice as likely to experience dry eye compared to men. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy can also cause changes in vision.

Women are also more prone to developing autoimmune conditions that can affect vision, including:

• Sjögren's syndrome

• Lupus

• Multiple sclerosis (MS)

• Neuromyelitis Optica

• Graves' ophthalmopathy

Notably, 85% of patients with multiple autoimmune diseases are women.

The good news is that most vision loss is preventable. Here are five steps that both women and men can take to help preserve their vision:

• Get a comprehensive eye exam.

• Know your family history.

• Eat a healthy diet.

• Stop smoking.

• Wear sunglasses and proper eye safety protection.

Sources:

www.wcct.com

www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov

www.aao.org

Photo Sources:

www.theopticalfactory.co.uk/

www.shadygroveophthalmology.com

www.visionsource-cardinal.com

 

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