American Eye-Q survey shows men and women don't see eye- to-eye on vision health

October 28, 2010

According to the AOA annual American Eye-Q® survey, men and women have different views and habits when it comes to eye and vision health. From seasonal allergies to ultraviolet protection to the best foods for eye health, the survey finds men and women are on different sides of the fence.

“While there is disagreement, the good news is the majority of both men and women understand the importance of maintaining eye and visual health through regular comprehensive eye exams,” said Dori Carlson, O.D., president-elect of the AOA. “But as a wife, it’s not surprising to me that men and women can have differing points of view.”

“Regardless of a patient’s gender, an assessment from an optometrist is a significant part of preventive health care,” said Mark Helgeson, O.D., husband of Dr. Carlson. “Conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer and multiple sclerosis may be caught during a comprehensive eye exam.”

Seasonal eye allergies

According to the American Eye-Q® survey, more women (73 percent) than men (67 percent) report suffering from seasonal eye allergies that cause itchy and watery eyes. Surprisingly though, more men (16 percent) than women (9 percent) have missed work because of seasonal eye allergies. Men listed the top two things that allergies interfere with on a daily basis as participating in recreational outdoor activities (37 percent) and sleep (36 percent). Women cited participating in recreational outdoor activities and the ability to think or concentrate (both at 27 percent).

UV protection for the eyes

When it comes to protecting against the sun’s damaging rays, more women (35 percent) than men (28 percent) are concerned with checking for UV protection when purchasing sunglasses. The survey also showed more men (36 percent) than women (27 percent) mistakenly believe name-brand sunglasses are better for your eyes and offer more protection than generic or less expensive sunglasses.

“Overexposure of the eyes to UV rays is serious and can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration or, in some cases, skin cancer around the eyelids,” said Dr. Helgeson. “The ladies win in this case; you should always look for sunglasses that offer good protection, blocking 99 to 100 percent of UV-A and UV-B radiation and screening out 75 to 90 percent of visible light.”

Nutrition and eye health

According to the American Eye-Q® survey, the majority of men and women believe carrots are the best food for your eyes. Slightly more men (14 percent) than women (11 percent), however, correctly identified spinach as a better food for promoting eye health.

“In fact, spinach and other dark leafy greens are the healthiest foods for the eyes because they naturally contain large amounts of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin that can help protect against diseases like age-related macular degeneration,” said Dr. Carlson.

Computer Vision Syndrome

The AOA defines computer vision syndrome (CVS) as a group of eye and vision-related problems that result from prolonged computer use. Regular eye care and changes in behavior can help alleviate CVS.

For every 20 minutes of computer viewing, the AOA recommends looking into the distance for 20 seconds to give your eyes a chance to refocus.

The survey shows more men (59 percent) than women (53 percent) experience vision issues from using tech devices like computers. Women (17 percent) came out ahead of men (13 percent), though, when it comes to taking visual breaks every 20 minutes. The majority of both men and women said they take breaks every 30 to 60 minutes.

Aging eyes

The survey results indicated that 40 is the most common age at which Americans begin noticing changes in their vision. However, the way in which men and women cope with age-related eye problems differ.

Men use brighter lights when performing tasks (36 percent), while women limit their night driving (35 percent). Men and women agree that their biggest concern related to developing serious vision problems is being unable to live independently. For women, the next biggest concern is being unable to read, while for men it was not being able to see their loved ones.

Additional interesting findings

Bad habits are hard to break for both sexes. When asked what is the longest they’d worn daily disposable contact lenses before replacing them, the top response among men was one week (27 percent), while women indicated two months or longer (27 percent).

With the popularity of 3-D televisions on the rise, it’s no surprise more men (35 percent) than women (16 percent) are considering purchasing one in the future.

Comprehensive eye exams

Even though men and women vary in their eye and vision behaviors, the majority of both sexes indicated they have seen an eye doctor within the last two years. Many eye and vision problems don’t have obvious signs or symptoms, so problems can often be undetected.

Early diagnosis and treatment of eye and vision problems are important for maintaining good vision and eye health, and when possible, preventing vision loss.

Comprehensive eye exams are designed to:

* Evaluate the functional status of the eyes, taking into account special vision demands and needs
* Assess vision health and related systemic health conditions
* Determine a diagnosis (or diagnoses)
* Formulate a treatment and management plan
* Counsel and educate patients about their visual, ocular and related systemic health care status, including recommendations for treatment, management and future care

Consumers are encouraged to find an optometrist in their area and get more information on eye and vision health by visiting www.aoa.org.

Synexus sets its sights on ophthalmology

SynexusPosted on:25 Oct 10



Synexus is set to take part in a number of global ophthalmology trials following recent investment in clinical research expertise and technology in this area.

Chief Executive, Dr Christophe Berthoux says that ophthalmology offers considerable growth potential for Synexus: “There is significant demand for new ocular drugs, not only for currently untreatable conditions, but also for improved treatments for conditions such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and this is set to increase the size of the market, making it attractive to more pharma companies. There have been relatively few new drugs brought to market in this area, for example, between 1995 and 2003, there were no new ocular drugs approved by the FDA, and until recently this area of drug development was dominated by only a few companies. Our recent involvement in this field indicates that this is changing and that more companies will be extending their operations into ophthalmology.”

Clinical trials in ophthalmology have historically suffered from a shortage of ophthalmologists with expertise in drug development, and also from the need for investment in expensive screening and diagnostic equipment. Synexus has a proven track record of investing in state-of-the-art technology in order to deliver clinical trials results and also experience of teaming up with leading specialists who work exclusively on their trials. This approach is already proving popular in the ophthalmology field according to Chief Operating Officer, Jane Restorick: “Our expansion earlier this year, with a significantly increased presence in the CEE, puts Synexus in a very strong position to deliver the right patients for ophthalmology trials. Changes in global population demographics, in particular the increasingly ageing population, necessitate the speeding up of ocular drug development, and the need for a greater number of more effective treatments for eye disorders. The way Synexus operates means that we can respond quickly with investment in equipment and in clinical expertise.”

There are an estimated 45 million blind people and 135 million visually impaired people worldwide. Age-related macular degeneration (40%), glaucoma (13%) and diabetic retinopathy (8%) are the three most common causes of visual impairment and blindness. Clinical trials in the ophthalmology area are vital to speed up progress in dealing with serious eye diseases including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and eye herpes.

Eyetech Announces Program to Develop Extended-Release Formulation of Macugen

by mincho2008

Eyetech Inc. announced today a program to develop an extended-release formulation of Macugen® (pegaptanib sodium injection) using microparticles technology. Macugen, a selective inhibitor of VEGF-165, is approved for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neovascular AMD). The goal of the Macugen extended-release formulation is to decrease the frequency of dosing from every six weeks to every four to six months. Eyetech is collaborating with SurModics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading drug delivery company, to develop the extended-release version of Macugen under a licensing and development agreement that was signed in 2005. The development program was announced today at the second annual Ophthalmology Innovation Summit in Chicago.

"An extended-release formulation of Macugen could offer several potential advantages to physicians, patients with neovascular AMD and their families, including a more convenient dosing schedule, improved compliance, and a lower risk of complications related to the injection," said Scott W. Cousins, M.D., project leader for the Macugen Microparticles Program and vice-chair of research in the Department of Ophthalmology at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, NC. "I look forward to advancing the Microparticles development program."

Neovascular AMD is a chronic condition that requires long-tem treatment. Recent studies evaluating the injection frequency and visual outcomes using anti-VEGF therapies have shown that giving the treatments on an 'as needed' basis leads to under-treatment and significantly less vision gains.(i) In addition, recently published and presented clinical studies have investigated anti-VEGF therapy as a potential treatment for patients with other retina diseases, such as diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO). New drug delivery technologies may be of interest to physicians who serve these patient populations.

Mike Atieh, executive chairman of Eyetech Inc., said: "The announcement of the Microparticles program demonstrates our commitment to addressing the needs of the retina community and collaborating to provide safe and effective treatment options for patients suffering from retina disease."

Eyetech Inc. has the worldwide rights to the Macugen Microparticles program.

About Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
AMD is a chronic, progressive disease of the central portion of the retina called the macula, resulting in the loss of central vision. The most common symptoms are a central blurred or blank spot, distortion of objects or simply blurred vision. Peripheral vision usually remains intact. AMD is classified into two forms: atrophic, referred to as dry AMD, and neovascular or wet AMD.

In neovascular AMD, abnormal blood vessels grow and leak into the macula, resulting in loss of vision. Neovascular AMD is the more severe form of the disease and progresses more rapidly than the dry type. Although it accounts for only about 10-15 percent of all macular degeneration cases, neovascular AMD is responsible for 90 percent of blindness caused by the disease.

About Macugen
Macugen, a selective inhibitor of VEGF-165, is indicated in the United States for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (neovascular AMD) and is administered in a 0.3-mg dose once every six weeks by intravitreal injection. Macugen is a pegylated anti-VEGF aptamer, which binds to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF is a protein that plays a critical role in angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and increased permeability (leakage from blood vessels), two pathological processes that contribute to the vision loss associated with neovascular AMD.

Eyetech Inc. markets and sells Macugen in the United States and Pfizer Inc. markets and sells Macugen outside of the United States. For full prescribing information about Macugen, please visit http://www.macugen.com/.

Important Safety Information
Macugen is contraindicated in patients with ocular or periocular infections or with known hypersensitivity to pegaptanib sodium or any other excipient of this product.

Safety or efficacy of Macugen beyond two years has not been demonstrated.

Intravitreal injections including those with Macugen have been associated with endophthalmitis. Proper aseptic injection technique -- which includes use of sterile gloves, a sterile drape, and a sterile eyelid speculum (or equivalent) -- should always be utilized when administering Macugen. In addition, patients should be monitored during the week following the injection to permit early treatment, should an infection occur.

Increases in intraocular pressure (IOP) have been seen within 30 minutes of injection with Macugen. Therefore, IOP as well as the perfusion of the optic nerve head should be monitored and managed appropriately.

Rare cases of anaphylaxis/anaphylactoid reactions, including angioedema, have been reported in postmarketing experience following the intravitreal administration procedure.

Serious adverse events related to the injection procedure occurring in less than 1% of intravitreal injections included endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and iatrogenic traumatic cataract.

Most frequently reported adverse events in patients treated for up to two years were anterior chamber inflammation, blurred vision, cataract, conjunctival hemorrhage, corneal edema, eye discharge, eye irritation, eye pain, hypertension, increased IOP, ocular discomfort, punctate keratitis, reduced visual acuity, visual disturbance, vitreous floaters, and vitreous opacities. These events occurred in approximately 10% to 40% of patients.

About Eyetech Inc.
Eyetech Inc. is a unique, independent 100% employee-owned and operated biotechnology company dedicated exclusively to the treatment of sight-threatening diseases of the retina.

Eye Doctors of Washington, DC Support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Sarah Bryce

Widely known as specialists in LASIK eye surgery in Washington DC, the Eye Doctors of Washington (EDOW) will be switching gears to support another worthy cause on Friday, October 8th, 2010 at 8:00 am. October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and in collaboration with the Kane Show and HOT 99.5, the doctors at EDOW will be hosting an event to collect donations and give away prizes to raise awareness for breast cancer. The doctors say they are looking forward to the effect this campaign will have on the community as a whole, as they join together to support the fight against a disease that is estimated to affect more than 200,000 women in 2010.

This October marks the 26th annual celebration of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is a partnership of national public service organizations and medical professionals striving to promote awareness, education, and empowerment of everyone affected by breast cancer. As specialists focusing on providing their patients with LASIK in Washington DC and other effective vision care treatments, the doctors at EDOW say that supporting their community has always been a priority within their practice, which is why they are celebrating National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The doctors say their ultimate goal is to improve the lives of their patients, regardless of the cause of their condition, and supporting breast cancer awareness does just that.

Whether performing vision correction procedures or cosmetic enhancements such as Juvederm™ in Washington, DC, the doctors at EDOW say they appreciate the chance to embrace such a worthy cause this October, and believe events like this are extremely important because they make a real difference in the well-being of patients within their community and across the nation.

About EDOW

The Eye Doctors of Washington have been providing high quality eye care for patients in Washington, DC for over 40 years, and was originally founded by a group of professors from the Center for Sight at Georgetown University. They specialize in all types of eye procedures, from routine eye exams, to vision correction procedures and treatment for eye diseases such as macular degeneration and glaucoma, as well as cosmetic procedures such as BOTOX® Cosmetic in Washington DC. All of the ophthalmologists at EDOW are certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, as well as being fellowship trained in a sub-specialty of eye care. All of the members of EDOW have received scientific and medical awards, serve on a number of advisory boards, and are involved in the advancement of eye care through academic research.

Radio for the Blind on S.C. chopping block

By Carolyn Click
Published: October 03. 2010


COLUMBIA, S.C. — Since she lost her sight four years ago, Margaret Gutman has come to rely on a state-run radio reading program for the blind to provide her with news from the three major South Carolina papers, opinion pieces from local and national commentators, health and gardening news, and the occasional offbeat magazine article.

So when she learned last month that the South Carolina Educational Radio for the Blind, in existence since the 1970s, was set to become another casualty of the state's economic downturn, she was devastated.

“I just think it is cutting out so much of the outside world,” said Gutman, 76, who suffers from wet macular degeneration, a chronic eye disease that causes swift vision loss in the center of a person's field of vision.

Gutman listens “24/7” to the service, she said, often turning on her special receiver late at night when she cannot sleep to hear volunteers read from The State newspaper, The (Charleston) Post and Courier and The Greenville News. Volunteers read local stories, obituaries, op-ed pieces and even the grocery specials — information the sighted skim quickly and take for granted.

Cutting off ‘my outside world'

When you are blind, “You lose your driving privileges ... you lose the ability even to shop, to look at prices on things and to recognize things in grocery stores,” Gutman said Thursday.

“I just feel they are cutting off a big chunk of my life, my outside world to some degree.”

Her husband, retired Air Force Maj. Walter Gutman, already has written to the governor to voice his concern at the loss of the programming — the only service for the blind that focuses on state current events.

James Kirby, commissioner for the S.C. Commission for the Blind, said he understands the pain and frustration of the legally blind South Carolinians who rely on the service, delivered through special receivers tuned to a dedicated sub channel of ETV.

About 5,000 blind residents around the state have the lent receivers in their homes.

But as the agency's budget over the last two years was reduced from $3.9 million to $2.2 million, Kirby said he determined the $120,000 program, run by three staffers with 50 volunteer readers, had to go.

Kirby said he tried to protect the state-funded radio program, along with children's and blind prevention services, even as he worked to make sure there was enough state funding for rehabilitation programs that receive a significant 80-20 federal dollar match.

‘Double whammy'

“When we cut state dollars in those programs, we have a double whammy,” said Kirby, who plans to elicit support in the state Legislature to restore the service.

About four years ago, he noted, Gov. Mark Sanford tried to eliminate the program, an effort that was turned back.

“When we start the budget process in January we are going to seek the restoration of funds,” Kirby said.

That's good news, too, to the 50 volunteers who have contributed a total of 2,700 hours of reading time over the years and believe the program, with its emphasis on volunteers, is about as efficient as any in state government. The local radio programming is supplemented by additional programming.

“In the grand scheme of the state budget this is such a minor amount of money,” said Don Caughman, who has been reading newspaper and magazine articles to his blind listeners for 31 years. “I and other volunteers over the years have given an awful lot of time to give a service that didn't cost the state anything. It's a little bit annoying to me that it gets lumped in with everything else.”

Caughman began volunteering one morning a week before work, then two.

Since his retirement from BellSouth in 2000, he spends three early mornings inside one of the four sound booths at the studio.

“I try to think about people listening as I talk,” Caughman said. “I try to do it with a certain amount of enthusiasm and proper enunciation.”

Don Siebert, a retired University of South Carolina English professor who created a half-hour show “All About Words” for the blind audience, agrees.

“It seems like the defenseless are the first cut,” said Siebert, who like other volunteers had to audition to become a reader. “This isn't the biggest tragedy in the world, obviously, but it is a shame given how little it costs. It's a symptom of this whole climate of cutting, cutting, cutting.”
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