UPMC Vision Institute Using Ocular Genetics

UPMC Vision Institute uses the medical and research knowledge of UPMC and the University of Pittsburgh Department of Ophthalmology.

The ocular genetics team, including genetic counselors, are very important for patients with inherited vision problems, such as retinal dystrophy, front-of-the-eye disorders, developmental disorders, cornea problems, uncontrolled eye movements, optic nerve damage, and albinism, among many other conditions.

The most common disorders which UPMC specialists are skilled at treating include:

·       Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited disorders that progressively reduce the retina’s ability to respond to light, leading to a loss of vision.

·       Stargardt disease is the leading inherited juvenile macular degeneration, characterized by progressive vision loss due to the degeneration of cells in the central retina.

·       Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is an inherited retinal degenerative disease that causes severely reduced vision from birth. This condition is characterized by early-onset visual impairment

·       Retinoschisis is a genetic eye disorder in which the retina splits into separate layers. This separation impairs both central and peripheral vision, potentially affecting activities such as reading, recognizing faces, and navigating spaces. Early diagnosis and management are important to help preserve vision and quality of life.

·       Optic neuropathy refers to damage to the optic nerve, which may result in vision loss. Common symptoms include blurry vision, blind spots, and reduced color perception. While genetic factors are a frequent cause. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to help preserve vision and improve quality of life.

·       Pediatric cataracts are clouding of the eye's lens in children, which can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later (acquired) due to causes like genetics, infection, trauma, or certain medical conditions.

Genetic counselors collaborate closely with optometrists, ophthalmologists, and other specialists to assess patients’ medical and family histories. They also coordinate genetic testing and provide expert interpretation of results, helping patients and families understand their inherited vision conditions and make informed decisions about care.

Ultramodern care, diagnostic evaluation, testing, genetic counseling, advanced genetic testing, and access to modern treatments. Some of those initiatives include repairing genetic defects in the eye using gene therapies, using stem cells to repair severely damaged corneas, cortical vision, or sending images directly to the brain from a camera, implantation of a bionic chip new treatments for macular degeneration and glaucoma, and regenerating the optic nerve.

Sources:

www.aao.org

www.wtae.com

www.health.pitt.edu

Photos:

www.linkedin.com

 

 

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Crusty eyelids in the A.M., why it happens

 

Sleep crust, also known as eye gunk or by its technical term, rheum, is a common occurrence. Rheum is a harmless mixture of exfoliated skin cells, oils, and tears produced or shed that accumulate in the eyes. We all get that crusty stuff in the corners of our eyes when we wake up in the morning.  It is all part of a good night's sleep.

This buildup happens because, during sleep, you do not blink, allowing secretions and debris to collect and dry in the corners of your eyes and along the eyelash line.

This residue is a result of the eye’s normal protective processes. Blinking throughout the day helps flush away mucus and other debris from the surface of the eye.

Therefore, finding crusty residue in the corners and along the lash line of your eyes is normal, unless it is accompanied by symptoms such as redness, pain, or excessive discharge, which may indicate an underlying condition. It should be white or light cream color—which is normal. 

If the discharge is yellow or green, that can be a sign of bacterial conjunctivitis—a common form of pink eye. There are also chronic conditions, like blepharitis (a type of inflammation), dry eye, and allergic conjunctivitis that can cause sleep crust. In some cases, it could be enough to make your eyes stick together. In those cases, see an eye care professional.

Sources:

www.healthcare.utah.edu

www.healthline.com

www.aao.org

Photo sources:

www.reichpharm.com

www.healthcare.utah.edu

www.amconlabs.com 

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Did you know – Veterans Day Edition

1. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day until 1954 when it was renamed Veterans Day.
2. Veterans Day coincides with Holidays in several countries including Armistice Day and Remembrance Day
3. Veterans Day occurs on the Anniversary of the end of WWI
4. Major hostilities of WWI were formally ended on the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918.
5. There are distinct holidays commemorating the service of all US Veterans

• Memorial Day in May
• Veterans Day in November
• Armed Forces Day also in May
•  Women’s Veterans Day in June 

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Pickleball Is It Dangerous?

How many of you play pickleball, it’s a burg thing right? With nearly 20 million people playing pickleball has quickly become big in the United States. Pickleball-related eye injuries are on the rise in the US. Although the increase in ocular injuries may simply reflect the increasing number of players. It is possible that casual players are more susceptible to injury due to limited experience and unfamiliarity with the game.

A study found that pickleball-related eye injuries have increased at an alarming rate over the past 4 years as the sport continues to grow in popularity. It is not that the game is getting more dangerous.

Common kinds of ocular injuries from pickleball have been reported by ophthalmologists and Emergency rooms including:

• Lacerations around the eye
• Corneal abrasions
• Inflamed irises
• Retinal detachment or tear
• Orbital fractures
• Globe trauma
• Berlin's edema is damage to the retina's outer layers, which can cause temporary decrease in vision.
• Hyphemia is bleeding in the front chamber of the eye

To prevent these injuries, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and other experts recommend wearing shatterproof polycarbonate safety goggles that meet ASTM F3164 standards. These standards ensure that eyewear is rigorously evaluated for impact resistance and safety during play, providing reliable protection against the types of injuries commonly seen in pickleball.

Eye protection is not currently mandated to take part in amateur or professional pickleball play. However, there is a push to establish standardized guidelines that is strongly recommended, as evidence from other sports   a significant reduction in ocular injuries when protective eyewear is required. For example, studies in racquetball and hockey have shown a 90% decrease in common eye injuries after mandating protective eyewear. This underscores the potential benefit of implementing similar safety measures in pickleball.

Sources:

www.livescience.com

www.jamanetwork.com

www.aao.org

Photo sources:

www.potthoffeyecare.com

https://www.foxnews.com

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Another Good Reason to Eat Chocolate

Much to the delight of chocoholics everywhere, dark chocolate specifically. Dark chocolate contains antioxidants from the cocoa beans called cocoa flavanols or CFs.

In a recent study, the authors hypothesize that cocoa flavanols may improve blood flow by relaxing blood vessels, thereby enhancing the availability of oxygen and nutrients to the blood vessels of the eye and brain. This process is believed to potentially improve both visual and cognitive function.

The retina in particular, they point out, is very highly vascularized, meaning it is rich in blood vessels and may be the area of interest in these study findings. It is worth noting that this study was not supported by any cocoa or chocolate companies.

The study examined how consuming milk chocolate vs. dark chocolate affects visual acuity, as well as large and small letter contrast sensitivity. 

Milk chocolate can have as little as 10% of Coco flavanols but has more fat, were as dark chocolate contains 50 to 90% of Coco flavanols.

It was found to show improvements within two hours of ingesting a 47 g chocolate bar. 

The primary outcomes of the study were changes in retinal perfusion, using Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) is a noninvasive image modality that provides depth-resolved imaging of the retinal and choroidal vasculature. 

High flavonol, dark chocolate, help to activate stem cells and repairs, blood vessels.

Sources:

www.scientificamerican.com

www.health.harvard.edu

www.nature.com

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Zeaxanthin for Vision

In a recent blog post I discussed lutein, a carotenoid. Another carotenoid is zeaxanthin, which can be found in foods you eat daily. It also comes with a host of benefits, like promoting eye health. Zeaxanthin is the companion of Lutein and often appears side-by-side in foods. Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants. They give fruits and vegetables their vibrant hue.

Zeaxanthin and lutein are present in significant concentrations within the macula, where they are referred to as macular pigments. These antioxidants are present in various vegetables and also naturally occur in the lens, retina, and macula of your eyes.  That’s why doctors believe they play a key role in healthy vision. Zeaxanthin helps safeguard your eye tissues by filtering harmful sunlight and preventing oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

The macula is the most sensitive part of the retina and the part with the highest concentration of photoreceptors. These are special cells that convert light into signals that can be interpreted by your brain. As such, the macula is the place where your sharpest vision is produced. It is also responsible for your ability to perceive colors.

Five servings of fruits and vegetables daily provide enough zeaxanthin and lutein for your body. Make sure you choose each color of the rainbow, to help you continue to see rainbows.

Food Sources of Zeaxanthin:

If you are looking to boost your zeaxanthin intake, look for green, leafy vegetables since they have the highest amount of the carotenoid. The chlorophyll in dark green vegetables actually masks the lutein and zeaxanthin (yellow-orange) pigments, giving the vegetables their recognizable green color.

You shouldn't limit yourself to just a few veggies. In addition to greens, eggs and brightly colored fruits and vegetables are also good sources of both zeaxanthin and lutein. Eggs may be your best source. Although vegetables often contain more zeaxanthin, it isn't naturally combined with the fat-soluble enhancers needed for absorption, which lowers their bioavailability. Your body absorbs it more efficiently from eggs due to their fat content.

After ingestion, zeaxanthin is preferentially transported to the ocular tissues. It is incorporated into the lens, the transparent, curved structure located at the front of the eye. This yellow pigment functions as a protective barrier.

 

Sources:

www.webmd.com⁠

www.health.clevelandclinic.org⁠

www.verywellhealth.com⁠

 

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Lutein is an organic pigment that belongs to the carotenoid family, closely related to beta-carotene and vitamin A. Commonly called the "eye vitamin," lutein is made by plants. It's present in large amounts in the macula area of the eye, which plays a crucial role in vision.

These essential nutrients can improve eye health and reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Research shows that this antioxidant plays a key role in maintaining vision and supporting eye health. Lutein also has anti-inflammatory properties. 

Lutein is known to support the improvement or prevention of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts, which are leading causes of blindness and vision impairment. 

Lutein can help protect the retina from phototoxic light damage.

Food sources rich in Lutein include:

• Berries
• Broccoli 
• Papaya 
• Peaches
• Mangoes
• Egg yolks
• Kales
• Spinach
• Peas
• Corn
• Bell peppers
• Pistachios

Sources:

www.aarp.org

www.healthcentral.com

www.webmd.com

www.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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