Here are 10 recent findings from studies and report on ophthalmology.
1. Vision Problems Decline in People With Diabetes. A Center for Disease Control report found the percentage of adults with diabetes who self-reported vision problems decreased from 26 percent in 1997 to 18.6 percent in 2010, though the actual number of adults with self-reported diabetes and vision impairment increased from 2.7 million to 3.9 million during the same period. The report also found annual contact with an eye-care provider remained constant at 63 percent among those with diabetes and visual impairment and 57 percent among those with diabetes but no visual impairment.
2. Study Identifies Benchmark Levels for Cataract Surgery Quality. A study identified benchmark levels for the postoperative achievement of maximum absolute deviation of 0.5 diopter from target refraction and best-corrected visual acuity of at least 0.8. They found maximum absolute deviation of 0.5 diopter from target refraction was achieved in 80 percent of cases and visual acuity of 0.8 or more was reached in 87 percent.
3. Integrating Multidisciplinary Approach, Genetic Testing Improves Management of Retinoblastoma. A new study found integrating genetic testing with a multidisciplinary team approach improves timely evaluation of patients and awareness of genetic implications in patients with retinoblastoma. Researchers found performing genetic testing of retinoblastoma patients followed by testing their at-risk family members might eliminate the need for additional testing in relatives and identify the few high-risk relatives who need intensive screening.
4. Microvascular Changes in Retina Could be Early Warning Sign for Disability. A new study found people with two or more microvascular changes in the retina were 45 percent more likely to develop an inability to perform activities of daily living. During follow-up, researchers found 10.1 percent of participants with two or more retinal signs developed difficulty in performing activities of daily living, compared with 7.1 percent of those with fewer than two signs. They also found participants with two or more signs were more likely to be smokers.
5. Patients With Glaucoma Vision Loss Have Higher Fall Risk. A new study found 44 percent of patients with glaucoma vision loss fell at least once during a one-year period, and 31 percent experienced falls resulting in injury. Researchers found that greater visual impairment, especially in the interior field region, was associated with an increased falls rate. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, superior field loss and use of topical beta-blockers were not associated with an increased risk.
6. Retinopathy in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Decreased Significantly in Last Decade. A new study found a significant decrease in the prevalence of retinopathy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in the last decade. From 1990-1994, the prevalence was 53 percent, but dropped to 12 percent from 2005-2009. Researchers analyzed the microvascular complications of 1,604 adolescents aged 12-20.
7. Half of US Population Has Cataracts by Age 65. Cataracts affect more than 22 million people in the United States, or more than half the population over the age of 65. Preston Blomquist, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said cataract surgery is the most effective procedure, with a 95 percent success rate.
8. Walking Reduces Risk of Macular Degeneration Eye Disease. A University of Wisconsin study found daily walking reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration eye disease. The study included 1,300 participants from the Women's Health Initiative and found the most active women had a 54 percent lower risk of developing macular degeneration. Women who were very active and ate a healthy diet saw a 71 percent decrease in risk.
9. Intraocular Pressure Can be Used to Test for Glaucoma. A new study confirmed systolic blood pressure as the most reliable indicator of intraocular pressure and risk for glaucoma. Researchers used a non-contact tonometer known as an Ocular Response Analyzer to measure intraocular pressure, corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and ocular biometric characteristics in 4,184 individuals aged 48 to 91 years. Researchers also recorded blood pressure and anthropometric data.
10. Cataract Surgery Improves Mood, Cognitive Ability and Sleep Patterns in Alzheimer's Patients. Researchers found patients with mild Alzheimer's disease who underwent cataract surgery showed improvement in cognitive ability, mood, sleep patterns and other behaviors. A neuropsychologist evaluated the patients one month before and three months after the cataract surgery. Depression and sleep patterns improved, and 25 percent of patients showed improvement in cognitive ability. No change was found in autonomy.
1. Vision Problems Decline in People With Diabetes. A Center for Disease Control report found the percentage of adults with diabetes who self-reported vision problems decreased from 26 percent in 1997 to 18.6 percent in 2010, though the actual number of adults with self-reported diabetes and vision impairment increased from 2.7 million to 3.9 million during the same period. The report also found annual contact with an eye-care provider remained constant at 63 percent among those with diabetes and visual impairment and 57 percent among those with diabetes but no visual impairment.
2. Study Identifies Benchmark Levels for Cataract Surgery Quality. A study identified benchmark levels for the postoperative achievement of maximum absolute deviation of 0.5 diopter from target refraction and best-corrected visual acuity of at least 0.8. They found maximum absolute deviation of 0.5 diopter from target refraction was achieved in 80 percent of cases and visual acuity of 0.8 or more was reached in 87 percent.
3. Integrating Multidisciplinary Approach, Genetic Testing Improves Management of Retinoblastoma. A new study found integrating genetic testing with a multidisciplinary team approach improves timely evaluation of patients and awareness of genetic implications in patients with retinoblastoma. Researchers found performing genetic testing of retinoblastoma patients followed by testing their at-risk family members might eliminate the need for additional testing in relatives and identify the few high-risk relatives who need intensive screening.
4. Microvascular Changes in Retina Could be Early Warning Sign for Disability. A new study found people with two or more microvascular changes in the retina were 45 percent more likely to develop an inability to perform activities of daily living. During follow-up, researchers found 10.1 percent of participants with two or more retinal signs developed difficulty in performing activities of daily living, compared with 7.1 percent of those with fewer than two signs. They also found participants with two or more signs were more likely to be smokers.
5. Patients With Glaucoma Vision Loss Have Higher Fall Risk. A new study found 44 percent of patients with glaucoma vision loss fell at least once during a one-year period, and 31 percent experienced falls resulting in injury. Researchers found that greater visual impairment, especially in the interior field region, was associated with an increased falls rate. Visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, superior field loss and use of topical beta-blockers were not associated with an increased risk.
6. Retinopathy in Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Decreased Significantly in Last Decade. A new study found a significant decrease in the prevalence of retinopathy in adolescents with type 1 diabetes in the last decade. From 1990-1994, the prevalence was 53 percent, but dropped to 12 percent from 2005-2009. Researchers analyzed the microvascular complications of 1,604 adolescents aged 12-20.
7. Half of US Population Has Cataracts by Age 65. Cataracts affect more than 22 million people in the United States, or more than half the population over the age of 65. Preston Blomquist, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology at the University of Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, said cataract surgery is the most effective procedure, with a 95 percent success rate.
8. Walking Reduces Risk of Macular Degeneration Eye Disease. A University of Wisconsin study found daily walking reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration eye disease. The study included 1,300 participants from the Women's Health Initiative and found the most active women had a 54 percent lower risk of developing macular degeneration. Women who were very active and ate a healthy diet saw a 71 percent decrease in risk.
9. Intraocular Pressure Can be Used to Test for Glaucoma. A new study confirmed systolic blood pressure as the most reliable indicator of intraocular pressure and risk for glaucoma. Researchers used a non-contact tonometer known as an Ocular Response Analyzer to measure intraocular pressure, corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor and ocular biometric characteristics in 4,184 individuals aged 48 to 91 years. Researchers also recorded blood pressure and anthropometric data.
10. Cataract Surgery Improves Mood, Cognitive Ability and Sleep Patterns in Alzheimer's Patients. Researchers found patients with mild Alzheimer's disease who underwent cataract surgery showed improvement in cognitive ability, mood, sleep patterns and other behaviors. A neuropsychologist evaluated the patients one month before and three months after the cataract surgery. Depression and sleep patterns improved, and 25 percent of patients showed improvement in cognitive ability. No change was found in autonomy.