The differences in density were statistically significant after researchers controlled for factors including age, sex, and level of education, said Duke ophthalmologist and retinal surgeon Sharon Fekrat, M.D., the study’s senior author. In the eyes of 39 people with Alzheimer’s disease, that web was less dense and even sparse in places. In people with healthy brains, microscopic blood vessels form a dense web at the back of the eye inside the retina, as seen in 133 participants in a control group. – A quick eye exam might one day allow eye doctors to check up on both your eyeglasses prescription and your brain health.Ī study of more than 200 people at the Duke Eye Center published March 11 in the journal Ophthalmology Retina suggests the loss of blood vessels in the retina could signal Alzheimer’s disease. You can stream the show from this site and download the podcast for free.DURHAM, N.C. 20, 2021, after broadcast on September 18. The podcast of this program will be available Monday, Sept. Fekrat is the editor, along with Tanya Glaser, MD, and Henry Feng, MD, of All About Your Eyes. She is currently Director of Duke iMIND Research Group.ĭr. Fekrat has been Director of the Duke Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Program, and Director of Ophthalmology Faculty Career Development. She is associate chief of staff at the Durham VA Healthcare System.ĭr. Sharon Fekrat, MD, FACS, FASRS, is professor of ophthalmology and associate professor of surgery at Duke University Medical School. We discuss what the eyes reveal about the health of the neurons in the brain, along with what we should all be doing to keep our eyes as healthy as possible. We discuss the treatments and the best ways to apply eye drops, whether for glaucoma or for dry eyes. Here too, ophthalmologists have better treatments than they had a few decades ago. In this condition, pressure inside the eye starts to climb. How do you select the lens that will suit you best? Treating Glaucoma:Īnother eye condition that becomes more likely as people age is glaucoma. In addition, manufacturers of replacement lenses have made them more flexible and better at replacing the natural lens that is removed. Doctors have refined surgical techniques for extracting the cloudy lens. At some point, the changes interfere with our ability to see well. Dealing with Cataracts:Īs we age, the lenses in our eyes become less clear. Scientific studies provide excellent evidence to back these recommendations. In addition, eye doctors often recommend a dietary supplement, the AREDS formula, to slow the progression of this chronic condition. Fortunately, the treatments have changed considerably over the last few decades and become much more effective. Age-Related Macular Degeneration:Īge-related macular degeneration (AMD) can be a devastating disorder causing visual impairment. That can make it more difficult for the eyes to adjust to distant vision. At the same time, we have been spending less time outside lifting our eyes from close-in screens to the far horizon. So many of us have increased the amount of time we are using screens for classes, meetings and social visits. One problem that might be more common this year is myopia, also called near-sightedness. Older people usually need annual exams, while young adults could go several years between checkups unless they are having problems with their vision. The most appropriate frequency of a regular eye check-up depends upon the age of the patient as well as any chronic conditions affecting the eyes. High cholesterol, thyroid imbalance and even Lyme disease also create telltale signs inside the eyes. What Else the Eyes Reveal:Īn ophthalmologist examining the eyes can detect complications of diabetes as well as signs of hypertension. They expect that this may allow for an earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment of a long-term health problem that affects the entire person. Researchers have found changes in the cornea that correlate with other symptoms of long COVID. We speak with a leading ophthalmologist about what your eyes reveal. Most exciting is the possibility of assessing brain health based on special imaging of the retina. That could be difficult to prove, but scientists have now shown that the eyes offer significant clues to your overall health. You may have heard that the eyes are the window to the soul.
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