Posts Tagged ‘disease’
A retinitis pigmentosa or retinitis pigmentosa(or retinitis pigmentosa, retinopathia pigmentosa, RP) is a genetic disease that attacks the retina causing destruction of their cells. The patient has the disease gradually loses the sight First night vision after vision even during the day. The loss of perception of colors and shades in contrast also gradually affects the patient.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group of inherited diseases of the retina (it is structure of the Eye) that all lead to a gradual progressive reduction in vision. Difficulties with night vision, sight and peripheral vision are the first things that are noticed. Later, reading vision (detailed vision) and color vision are affected and exaggerated. The age at which symptoms begin is variable and may vary with the different hereditary and genetic types (Genetics and Retinitis Pigmentosa). The time and rate at which vision deteriorates is variable but is generally very slow with changes occurring over years rather than months. In approximately half of all cases (50 to 60%) there are other family members with RP. There are main three most important inheritance patterns, autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant and X-linked inheritance, depending on the genetic cause (Genetics and Retinitis Pigmentosa). Retinitis pigmentosa mainly affects approx 1 in 3,000 to 4,000 people.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a group name of hereditary eye disorders. These disorders have an effect on the retina, which is the inside layer light-sensitive tissue, lining the back of the eye, in which the first stages of seeing take place. In RP, sight loss is slow and gradual but progressive. It is abnormal and unusual for people with RP to become totally blind as most retain some useful vision well into old age.
Causes of Retinitis pigmentosa (RP):
It is currently known that there are many different inherited problems causing RP. In all Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) -associated conditions however, the ability of the retina to respond to light is affected. The problem can be in numerous parts of the retina such as the rod or cone cells, or in the connections between the cells of the retina.
Symptoms of RP
The most common first symptom is difficulty in seeing in poor light, for example outdoors at dusk, or in a dimly lit room. A second indication is reduction of the visual field, in which view is lost from the sides, or from above and below. This is frequently referred to as tunnel vision and means that the rod cells, and several of the outer cone cells, have been affected first.
In some Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) – associated conditions central vision is lost first. The first signs of this are complicated in reading print or carrying out detailed work. All Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) conditions are progressive, but the speed at which deterioration takes place varies from one person to another.
In various types of Retinitis pigmentosa, glare from bright lights is an increasing problem and trouble, although some people do not experience this until the more advanced stages.
There is no hard and fast rule, but in most cases the early symptoms of Retinitis pigmentosa increase and develop between the ages of 10 and 30.
Retina Pigmentosa. Read more information on remedies for eye disease.
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The eye is one of the most important organs of human body. And it is quite critical to take good care of the eyes. Yet there are several top risks that threaten eye health.
Diabetes is always accompanied by high sugar levels, which may damage the blood vessels of the body, especially those in the eyes. Studies have found that excess amounts of blood sugar caused by diabetes can significantly increase the risk of several eye diseases, including cataracts, blood leakage in the retina, macular edema, macular degeneration, and glaucoma as well as eye infections. Associated with so many possible diseases, diabetes has become a top cause of blindness among US citizens.
Natural aging is inevitable in everyone. Vision loss at different degrees is quite common among old people, especially in those above 50. Vision loss caused by natural aging is always gradual and not noticeable. Yet there are still other health conditions that indirectly or directly affect eyesight in older individuals. Those factors include uncontrolled diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, cataracts, AMD, retinal tears and detachment, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy as well as presbyopia.
There is a great population of smokers in the world. Unfortunately, most people are not aware of the deleterious effects of smoking on the eyes. Smoking has been thought to increase the risk of macular degeneration and cataracts. This bad habit influences eye health by affecting oxygen level in the ocular tissues. Smoking makes a smoker’s heart to work harder and raise blood pressure, which becomes less efficient in delivering sufficient oxygen to the eyes.
High blood pressure in the eyes can lead to small leaks and clots. Blood leakage in surrounding eye tissues usually affects focus ability. And clots in the eye consume precious oxygen and even cause vision loss. Contributors of high blood pressure include heart disease, diabetes, and unresolved renal disease.
Nutrition also plays an important role in maintaining good eye health. People should regularly consume beneficial nutrients such as anti-oxidants including vitamin A, C and E as well as healthy fats such as omega-3 acids. A lifelong unhealthy diet can speed up aging process.
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There are millions of Americans all over the country suffering from the effects of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD). While treatment for Age-Related Macular Degeneration is limited, there are many different options for people to slow the progress of the degenerative eye disease.
What is Age-Related Macular Degeneration?
Age-Related Macular Degeneration is a serious eye disease that affects the retina, distorting and deteriorating your ability to see crisp, clear objects. For people over the age of 50, the arteries that run to the retina can harden, preventing blood from reaching the cells vital for your vision.
When the arteries simply harden and stop providing the retina with the blood it need to function, it is referred to as “dry” macular degeneration. For some people, the eye disease doesn’t stop there. The body can attempt to form new blood vessels to supply the retina with the blood it needs; unfortunately this tissue can damage the retina you can lose the majority of your vision.
If you live in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and would like to prevent the onset of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, the best thing you can do is schedule a consultation with an experienced optometrist or ophthalmologist.
In addition to scheduling your Age-Related Macular Degeneration consultation, there are a few different safety measures you can take during everyday life to help avoid developing ARMD:
- Stop Smoking – Perhaps the biggest step you can take, smoking not only puts you at risk for many other health problems, but smokers are four times more likely to develop Age-Related Macular Degeneration
- Maintain a Healthy Diet – A diet rich in leafy, green foods can help prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration because the carotenoids within the vegetables decrease the risk of developing or advancing ARMD
- Eat More Fish – While this may coincide with the second suggestions, studies have shown that people who eat more than two servings of fish every week are 45% less likely to develop ARMD than people who rarely eat fish
- Exercise Regularly – Maintaining a regular exercise program can help you keep your cardiovascular system healthy, making you less likely to develop the hard arteries that lead to ARMD
- Wear Sunglasses – Overexposure to the sun is directly linked to developing Age-Related Macular Degeneration, which is why is it important to wear sunglasses when going outside or participating in outdoor activities
If you’ve already taken some of these precautions, the best thing you can do now is to schedule regular eye exams.
If you live in Charlotte, North Carolina and would like to learn more about ARMD, please visit the website of Horizon Eye Care today.
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It’s estimated that 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is caused by damage to the retina. It is the leading cause of blindness in adults in the US. With Diabetic Retinopathy, blood vessels may leak or new blood vessels can grow on the surface of the retina, which may result in patches of blind spots.
In the early stages of the disease, there are often no symptoms or pain. However, as the disease progresses, individuals can experience blurred vision, specks of blood or spots in their vision, vision loss, and even blindness.
There are four stages of Diabetic Retinopathy, they are:
- Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy: This is the early stage of the disease. In this stage, swelling occurs in the retina’s blood vessels
- Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy: In this stage, some blood vessels that supply the retina become blocked.
- Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy: In this stage, more blood vessels supplying the retina become blocked and the eye then starts to grow new blood vessels.
- Proliferative Retinopathy: This is the advanced stage of the disease. The new blood vessels have thin walls and grow along the retina and the gel that fills the inside of the eye. If these blood vessels break, it can result in vision loss and even blindness.
Populations at Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy
- People with Type I diabetes
- People with Type II diabetes
- Some pregnant women with diabetes
Controlling blood sugar, blood, pressure, and cholesterol are key in preventing progression of the disease. In the latter stages of diabetic retinopathy, someone may undergo laser surgery and a virectomy (removal of the blood from the center of the eye). Check out the National Eye Institute to learn more about treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy.
Source: National Eye Institute
Visit The Aging Suite to learn more about diabetes.
The Aging Suite is a website created by an Occupational Therapist (OT) and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) with over 10 years experience in various settings including sub acute, acute care, skilled nursing facilities, and home health.
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The Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation points out that 90% out of 4 million patients who have the disease are women, since older women beyond menopause are susceptible to it. Sjogren’s syndrome affects moist and lubricated eyes and mouth by damaging related glands, resulting in dry eyes.
Other symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome include unusual dryness in the vaginal area, dry sinuses and frequent sinus infections, dry and sore mouth, inability to chew and swallow properly, dry and sore skin etc… Burry vision, eye burning sensation, grittiness and light sensitivity are also possible signs of Sjogren’s syndrome.
There are still various side effects caused by Sjogren’s syndrome. Extreme eye dryness may damage surface tissue of cornea and conjunctiva, leading to scarring and infection. Blepharitis can be caused by irritation and inflammation of the eyelid glands. Dry mouth can lead to rapid tooth decay or loss, unless you use artificial saliva lubricants to moisten your mouth. Other potential diseases that can be caused by Sjogren’s syndrome include lymphoma, swollen or enlarged lymph nodes and vasculitis.
In its secondary form, Sjogren’s syndrome is always accompanied by other autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus and thyroiditis, which cause inflammatory effects in different organs. These abnormal immune responses may be inherited or caused by viral or bacterial infections. Sjogren’s syndrome is sometimes associated with celiac disease. Other reasons that may contribute to dry eye include an arid environment, certain medications and improper memory metal eyeglasses.
The diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome involves various tests. A five-minute testing of the tears amount of the eye using a strip of test paper in the corner of your eye can evaluate the degree of dry eye. Vital dye staining can also measure eye dryness. Antinuclear antibodies such as SS-A and SS-B can be discovered using a simple blood test if a patient has Sjogren’s syndrome. A tissue sample from a salivary gland of your lip can be used to analyze the amount and quality of saliva produced in your mouth.
Prolonged artificial tears or ointments treatments can ease dry eye caused by Sjogren’s syndrome. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen can be used to treat pain or inflammation, and immunosuppressant will be effective for extreme Sjogren’s syndrome.
Symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome can be relieved in various ways. Different parts of the body need different solutions: water and sugarless gum for moist mouth, artificial tears for wet eyes, saline spray for nose, and humidified air for moist skin.
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