Link between Age-related macular degeneration & stroke risk

Researchers have found the people with age related macular degeneration are more likely to die from a heart attack or stroke.

The study, which followed more than 3000 people, (who were all over the age of 49 at the onset of the study) for 10 years, found that those who had the late stage of the disease at the onset of the study were had five times the risk of dying from a heart attack and 10 times the risk of dying from a stroke.

Individuals who developed early age-related macular degeneration during the study had twice the risk of dying form a heart attack or stork within the next decade.

These findings are significant because there is concern that some current treatments for the disease may increase stroke risk.

Researchers caution that the findings are based on a relativley small study and should be interpreted with caution.

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New Help for those with damaged or diseased corneas

Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new biomimetic hydrogel or polymer that may help restore vision to millions of people who have been blinded due to damaged or diseased corneas.

The Duoptix material, made of two interwoven hydrogels, is transparent and swells to a water content of 80%-similar to biological tissues. The hydrogel is nutrient permeable, allowing the cornea to receive glucose, it’s favorite food. The material is also strong and flexible, allowing it to survive suturing during surgery.

According to Christopher Ta, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Stanford University Medical Center, an 8 week trial for biocompatibility in animals was conducted and the results showed that the lenses remained clear.

Other future applications for the material could include use as more comfortable extended wear contacts, implanted contacts or even replacements for inner-eye lenses damaged by cataracts.

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Well, it is a horse, of course!

Most of us have encountered a visually impaired person with a guide dog, but have you ever seen a guide horse?

Florida resident Cheryl Spencer is the proud owner of Confetti, a guide horse. Spencer, who began losing her sight as a teenager and is now totally blind, has previously had guide dogs, and says that Confetti is just as adapt at guiding her as the dogs were.

The Guide Horse Foundation website lists several advantages that miniature horses have over dogs as service animals, including: longer life span (30-40 years), greater acceptance in public places, calm & focused nature, good memory, excellent vision and not easily distracted. Even with all of these attributes, it is highly unlikely that horses will replaces dogs as guides for the blind.

The National Federation of the Blind adopted a resolution in 2001 that opposes the use of guide horses. The resolution states: “We affirm the fundamental right of blind people to use properly trained dogs, and oppose any effort, such as the use of inappropriate animals, which would degrade that right.

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Scientists use English Mastiff to study eye disease

Researchers at Cornell University and the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that the English Mastiff breed is the best animal model of the human eye disease, Retinitis Pigmentosa. The breed can carry a gene defect for Progressive Retinal Atrophy, (PRA). In April, Cornell scientists discovered the genetic mutation of a defective gene which causes the PRA blindness in the English Mastiff.

The research is expected to allow scientists to find treatments and cures for these forms of blindness in humans, and it will also help to eradicate the condition in dogs. Scientists have already developed a genetic screening test for breeders to help eliminate the defective gene in purebred English Mastiffs.

The study is being sponsored in part by The Foundation Fighting Blindness.

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Diabetic African Americans have increased risk of vision loss

New study findings show that African Americans with type one diabetes have a high risk of vision loss.

Dr. Monique S. Roy, lead investigator, of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Newark, stated that poor control over blood sugar levels is “a very powerful risk factor for losing vision.”

Dr. Roy and co-investigator, Dr. Joan Sunice, followed approximately 500 African Americans with tpe 1 diabetes over a period of 6 years to determine rate of vision loss and associated risk factors.

In addition to poor blood sugar control, older age, high protein levels in the urine, and diabetic retinopathy were all independent predictors of vision loss over 6 years.

Dr.Roy noted: “Since African Americans with diabetes as a whole have poor blood sugar control, a major effort to improve glucose control must be made by patients and physicians taking care of such patients..”

Information for this post was gathered form an article written by Joene Hendry for Reuters Health.

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Blindness Prevention Costly

Lucentis, a breakthrough drug that treats and reverses wet macular degeneration, is a lifesaver for many affected by the condition. However, at $2,000 a monthly dose, required for the rest of the patients life, the treatment is out of reach for many.

Doctors in Canada have discovered a cheaper alternative while awaiting the arrival of Lucentis in the country. Ophthalmologists are using Avastin, a drug approved to treat colorectal cancer by preventing the growth of new blood vessels. Both drugs are made by the same pharmaceutical company, Genetech, and are molecularly similar.

One ophthalmologist reports that many of his patients are able to read three more lines on an eye chart after receiving a few rounds of treatment with Avastin. Avastin is also cheaper, with one monthly dose costing as little as $150 for the patient. However, because Avastin is being used off label to treat wet macular degeneration, there are some concerns.

Lucentis was subjected to nearly 10 years of clinical studies before being approved by the FDA to treat macular degeneration. Avastin was not studied or approved for use in the eye.

There is upcoming research planned to determine which of the drugs is actually better. The U.S. Government funded National Eye Institute approved a trial in principle that would pit the two drugs against each other.

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