Healthy Eyes AMD Supplement

Dry macula degeneration has 2 subtypes, drusen based and atrophy based. In drusenoid macula degeneration there is a gradual build up of waste products in the retina, formed during the process of seeing. Just underneath the photo-receptors is the retinal pigment epithelium, the drusen deposits here disrupt the normal regular spacing of the photo-receptors and distort our central vision.

There is a gene therapy research trial being undertaken in Oxford on dry AMD, which although is in the early stages is proving promising. The degenerating process and build up of waste product is normally slow and currently the only proven way to attempt to slow down progression is to take an antioxidant vitamin/mineral supplement, such as Healthy Eyes.

Healthy Eyes are a chewable supplement containing Lutein and Zeaxanthin which is perfect for those suffering or wishing to lessen their chances of developing age related Macula degeneration.

The chews are formed from natural fruit pectin ( a gelling agent extracted from citrus fruits), giving it a pleasant and fruity taste. There are no artificial colourings or flavourings and are gelatin and gluten free. To suit most modern diets, they also contain no milk, wheat, eggs or nuts and have no artificial sweeteners.

These waste products building up in the retina are now being picked up earlier than before, with OCT scanning and Autofluorescence Photography. Matheson Optometrists are working with retinal camera developers in building a system for this. When Lipofusin (considered an aging or 'wear-and-tear' pigment) in the retina is illuminated with a specific wavelength of visible light, it fluoresces, or glows.

Seeing Success in Gene Therapy Trial! Choroideremia

Gene Therapy Success!
A trial for choroideramia gene therapy has been reported. 14 patients at Oxford Eye Hospital received injections of a virus containing the missing gene, into the eye.

Significant improvements to vision were found across the group of patients. 12 maintained or even gained vision, which remained for up to five years. Of the untreated eyes, only 35% sustained vision.

"I was going into the operating theatre and having my eye injected with a virus that was used to insert the correct DNA into my cells so that the missing protein was produced. After the operation, I had my month one test. When I was doing the usual eye chart test, I had a lightbulb moment. I realised that I was about to go on reading past a point I had not reached in a decade.

I read the equivalent of four lines on the eye chart more than I could before. I was sitting there reading and I had tears just streaming down my face with this massive grin" - Joe Pepper, a Surrey teacher on receiving gene therapy.

This research will hopefully pave the way to future breakthroughs, for other eye diseases including macular degeneration.

Choroideremia is a condition that causes progressive loss of vision. Mainly affecting males, the first symptom is usually night blindness. Patients often feel their vision is not as good in low lighting, often starting from early childhood.

The visual problems are a result of loss of the cells that pick up light and also the choroid blood complex surrounding,this is also known as atrophy. As the condition progresses, visual field loss can follow, narrowing to leave tunnel vision. Fine detail or acuity can also be lost over time.Generally vision can decrease over time, but the severity each person experiences can vary.

Cause
Choroideramia is caused by mutated genes, specifically the CHM gene. CHM gives instructions and attaches to other molecules called Rab proteins inside cells. A mutation causes a cascade of events which mean the Rab proteins can not reach or attach to the correct area (organelles inside the cells), cells then die off prematurely.

Inheritance
An X-linked recessive pattern. The X-chromosome, one of the two sex chromosomes, are found as pairs in females XX and XY in males. So males only require one copy of the mutated gene to cause the condition, while females need two mutated copies. Women with just one copy are called carriers, they generally will not have symptoms of choroideremia but may show small areas of cell loss during a thorough eye examination. Though these changes may affect vision, but later on in life.

Statistics
It's estimated that choroideremia affects 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 people. It has been noted that they condition may go underdiagnosed because it shares similarities with many of eye disorders.
Of all causes of blindness, choroideremia accounts for 4%.

Read more at www.matheson-optometrists.com/choroideremia.html

Police Road Side Checks

Seeing correctly while driving is crucial to road safety. It's true that most of us can see while we drive, but are we really seeing everything we need to?

Of course there are the legal requirements to meet, but having sharp vision gives us more time to react to hazards in the road. Police are stopping drivers and conducting road side eye examinations. If your unable to read a licence plate at 20 meters  your licence could be immediately revoked.

Large objects such as cars and road signs may be visible, but this isn't always a true representation of your vision. Having an up to date prescription and protection from glare can improve your vision.

The current UK driving laws only require vision to be tested once. It is then up to the driver personally to notify the DVLA if their vision becomes too poor to keep driving. With this new testing taking place across Hampshire, Thames Valley and West Midlands police the data found will give huge insight into visual standards nationally.

We sometimes forgot that our insurance providers will not hold the agreement if your vision is not meeting the requirement.

It has been great to see so many proactive patients coming to check their vision, book in to see one of our optometrists today.

Clip on sunglasses

Innovative magnetic sunglass frames. These frames come with a magnetic polarised front. They can be placed with one hand and without having to remove the frames. Lightweight and durable, they negate the need for a separate pair of sunglasses. Perfect if your prescription lenses are very complex or expensive.

What do you think of our clip on sunglasses? They are currently stocked in all our practices across Hampshire, in various colours and styles. 

Why use Polarised lenses?

We've all experienced glare in our daily lives. You have probably noticed it on the sea at the beach, bouncing from the roadway or bonnet or on a boat reflecting from the surface of the water. Glare is uncomfortable and can be annoying, but reflected at just the wrong angle, glare can be dangerous, such as times when driving.

On polarised sunglasses, the filter creates vertical openings for light. This means that only light rays that approach your eyes horizontally can fit through those openings. As a result objects look crisper and clearer, and details are easier to see.

People who use polarised sunglasses for long stretches of time often say they are less tired than usual after hours of battling sun glare. Only polarised lenses can block out this dangerous, blinding glare. It can take 6-7 seconds to adjust to glare and becomes progressively worse as you age.

If glare impaired your vision for just three seconds whilst driving at 30mph, you would travel blind for 132 feet.

We stock a full range of polarised sunglasses in all our practices. Our experienced dispensing opticians can fit a frame to your shape, reduce glare and give clear vision.

UV and you

 

With the recent wave of summer sun, brings an increase of UV. Come rain or shine, we are always susceptible to the harm of UV rays. In the summer months however, exposure is at its peak! Fight for Sight, an eye research charity found only 1 in 2 of us are wearing UV blocking sunglasses. 

Here are 5 tips to reduce UV damage:

Darker lenses don't necessarily mean better protection! Sunglasses aren't equal in their ability to block UV. So a tint can be purely cosmetic with or without blocking UV well.

Tip: Look for CE marks to ensure your lenses meet the European standard for UV protection. 

It's a common misconception that we don't need protection on cloudy days. This may be true for wearing a tint,as it may not be as bright. UV however can penetrate through the clouds, so is still present, even when the sun isn't shining.

Tip: Day to day spectacle lenses can now be glazed to completely block out the sun's UV, therefore preventing long term damage. So now, clear lenses can give full coverage, all year long.

Have blue eyes? It's true that people with blue or lighter coloured eyes are more at risk of UV damage. Which in turn increases the risk of AMD. This is because lighter coloured eyes contain less melanin, a naturally occurring protective pigment.

Tip: Become familiar with the risk factors that contribute to AMD (Read more about AMD here). 

Sand and water are highly reflective, so they increase the UV levels in the surrounding area. If you're visiting the beach or planning a holiday, be sure to have protective sunglasses ready. 

Tip: Polarised lenses are extremely effective at blocking out glare, giving clear, undisturbed vision even on the sunniest of days. 

Our most vulnerable time, is up to the age of 5. After this our lens becomes more adapted to blocking out UV; so we better protect our retina (the camera film like layer, at the back of the eye). Damage done at this age can contribute to the development of cataracts later on in life.

Tip: Making sure your children have the appropriate sun protection, will help to reduce the cumulative effects of UV damage early on. 

If you are frequently exposed to UV, whether walking the dog or vacationing in warmer climates, you should protect your eyes. Be sure your sunglasses provide good vision, a high level of protection and enjoy the summer!

Matheson Optometrists stock a large range of optical quality sunglasses that give excellent protection against UV light giving you safer more comfortable vision in strong sunlight.We can provide plano sunglasses or have them made to your prescription. Prescription sunglasses are available at Matheson Optometrists from £59.95, including frames, lightweight tinted plastics lenses and UV 400 treatment.