In Ireland,about 1,000 people
have chronic open-angle glaucoma2
Over 7,000 new cases ofAge-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) are diagnosed in Ireland each year often at a stage when damage has
already been caused to vision1
Reference: 1. http://www.amd.ie/ 2. http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/G/Glaucoma/ Supported by
DID YOU
KNOW?
OPEN YOUREYES
MARCH 2017
Reference accessed February 2017
This month we are setting our sights on eye health, in particular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
AMD is the leading cause of sight loss for those aged over 50 in Ireland.1 Thankfully, there are lifestyle changes your patients can make that will help strengthen and protect their eyes. Some changes are simple, like wearing sunglasses, whereas others, like smoking cessation, are more challenging. However, encouraging your patients to make these changes now could help protect their eyesight for the future.
To coincide with World Glaucoma Week, taking place during March 12-18, we’ve also included a checklist of risk factors for glaucoma below. With 85-90 new cases of open-angle glaucoma occurring each year in Ireland2, it’s important that your patients know their risks and get tested frequently.
References: 1. http://www.amd.ie/ 2. http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/G/Glaucoma/3. https://www.macularsociety.org/sites/default/files/downloads/Macular%20Society%20Nutrition%20and%20Eye%20Health%20March%202016.pdf
Vitamins A, C and E found in oranges, tomatoes and green leafy vegetables are all thought to maintain healthy cells and tissue in the eye. Another antioxidant, lutein, has recently gained attention and is thought to play an important role in absorbing damaging blue wavelengths of light. It acts as a natural sunblock for the macula.
The human body cannot make lutein itself so it must be eaten. Studies suggest that consuming at least 10mg of lutein per day has the most beneficial effects on macular pigment levels. Studies suggest that people with lower levels of macular pigment may be more likely to develop AMD.
OPEN YOUREYES
BROCCOLI ......... 3.3 mg
LETTUCE ......... 4.7 mg
LEEK................. 3.6 mg
PEAS ................ 1.7 mg
SPINACH .......... 7.9 mg
RED PEPPER ..... 8.5 mg
KALE ............... 11.4 mg
Lutein in
vegetables
milligrams (mg)/
100g (fresh)3
Eating for your eyes3
References accessed February 2017
References: 1. https://www.macularsociety.org/sun-protection 2. https://www.macularsociety.org/smoking 3. http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/419696
We all know the damaging effects of ultra-violet (UV) light to our skin, but many people don’t realise the damage it causes to our eyes. It’s important that your patients protect their eyes from UV light all year round, not just during the summer:
PROTECT YOUR SIGHTFROM UV LIGHT!1
OPEN YOUREYES
Wear sunglasses. When choosing sunglasses look out for the European CE mark to ensure the lens quality is good. Lenses with insufficient UV protection are more harmful than not wearing sunglasses at all!
Wear broad brimmed hats or caps to protect your eyes
If you wear prescription glasses, add a clear UV filter to your lenses
DID YOU
KNOW?
• Exposure of delicate retinal cells to the oxidants incigarette smoke fast-forwards the ageing process.
• Smoking causes blood vessels to narrow in the eye, increasing overall blood pressure.
• Some research suggests that smokers havelower levels of macular pigments luteinand zeaxanthin, which are thoughtto protect the macula fromthe damaging effectsof sunlight
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for AMD:
SMOKING &SEE the benefits2
80%
of eye damage from UV and blue light occurs
before the age of 181
Current smokers are up to 4 times more likely
to have AMD than people who
have never smoked3
UIT
DID YOU
KNOW?
Around
References accessed February 2017
Reference: 1. https://nei.nih.gov/health/glaucoma/glaucoma_facts 2. http://www.glaucoma.org/glaucoma/are-you-at-risk-for-glaucoma.php 3. http://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/glaucoma?sso=y
GLAUCOMA
you are 6 times more likely to get glaucoma if you are over 60 years old2
those of African and Hispanic descent are at an increased risk of glaucoma2
of glaucoma2
studies suggest that diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease may increase risk3
can result in increased eye pressure3
<.5 mm2
AGE
RACE
FAMILY HISTORY
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
INJURY TO THE EYE
SEVERE NEAR-SIGHTEDNESS2
HYPERTENSION2
CENTRAL CORNEAL THICKNESS
CHEC
KLI
ST
Anyone can develop glaucoma, but patients who fall into the following risk categories are more likely than others to develop the disease:
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. Unfortunately there is no cure, however, with early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.
It’s important to encourage your patients to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam once every two years!1
OPEN YOUREYES
PP-GEP-IRL-0307 Date of preparation: February 2017References accessed February 2017
