New Study Links Daily Aspirin Use to Increased Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

SAN FRANCISCO—A large European study, published in the January issue of the journal of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, links daily aspirin use to increased risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

The study found that people aged 65 and older who took aspirin daily had double the risk of developing “wet” AMD (an advanced [...]

Dermatologist Recommends Sun Protection For All

In “Medicine Matters,” Medscape (7/21, Fryhofer) posted a video and transcript of Dr. Sandra Fryhofer discusses “six tanning and sunscreen myths.” Fryhofer recommended that everyone wear sunscreen as much as possible, along with UV-protective sunglasses and a hat. She also pointed out that even inside cars, people need to wear sunscreen, since “a study in [...]

One In Three Adults Unaware Of Eye Health Risks Of Too Much Sun Exposure

USA Today (6/9, Healy) reports that wearing a hat and protecting eyes “from harmful UV rays” is as much a part of sun protection as slathering on sunscreen. “A 2009 survey by the American Optometric Association found that one in three adults are unaware of the eye health risks of spending too much time in [...]

Sunglasses not optional !! – UV Rays May Cause Significant Damage To Unprotected Eyes

HealthDay (8/20, Thompson) reported that “ultraviolet, or UV, rays can cause significant damage to unprotected eyes, resulting in a number of illnesses and disorders that can rob people of their sight.” Over the long term, UV exposure can play a role in the development of cataracts, macular degeneration, and even cancer. “The eye tends to [...]

Eye-Related Problems Linked To Diet, Sun, And Smoking

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (7/26, Black) reports “a diet rich in all the things that are known to be good for your health also can protect against vision-stealing cataracts,” according to a study in the Archives of Ophthalmology. A University of Wisconsin-Madison “survey of more than 1,800 women,” found that “those whose diets were poor [...]

Foods containing omega 3 fatty acids, fish oils may help prevent AMD

 The UK’s Daily Mail (7/24, Hope) reports that, according to a study “to appear in the American Journal of Pathology next month,” foods “containing omega 3 and fish oils may help prevent” age-related macular degeneration (AMD), “the most common cause of blindness in old age.” For the study, researchers at the National Eye Institute “fed [...]

Scientist explore how brain adjusts to macular degeneration.

HealthDay (3/3, McKeever) reported that, according to a study published in the March 4 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience, “when macular degeneration causes one to start losing…sight, the affected neurons simply start seeking visual input from other, non-affected parts of the eye.” Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology “found when the cells in [...]

Study indicates B vitamins may lower risk of AMD in women.

USA Today (2/24, Marcus) reports that, according to a study published Feb. 23 in the Archives of Internal Medicine, “taking B vitamins could lower the risk for” age-related macular degeneration (AMD), “a leading cause of blindness in older Americans.” For the study, William Christen, Sc.D., of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and colleagues [...]

LACK OF INFORMATION ON LEADING CAUSE OF BLINDNESS COULD LEAVE SOME AMERICANS IN THE DARK

Prevent Blindness America Offers Public Free Educational Materials on Age-related Macular Degeneration

Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) currently affects the vision of more than 2 million Americans, ages 50 and older. AMD is a progressive disease that diminishes central vision and if left untreated, can result in severe vision loss and even blindness.

But despite the [...]

Vigorous exercise may help prevent AMD, cataracts, studies suggest.

Writing in the Los Angeles Times (2/10) Booster Shots blog, Jeannine Stein observed that, according to two studies published in the Jan. issue of Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, “vigorous exercise…may help prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts.” Both “studies looked at data from almost eight years of follow-up from the National [...]