Debilitating Eyesight Problems Are On The Decline For Older Americans

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging;  Diabetes
Article Date: 02 Jul 2012 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Debilitating Eyesight Problems Are On The Decline For Older Americans

Today's senior citizens are reporting fewer visual impairment problems than their counterparts from a generation ago, according to a new Northwestern Medicine study. Improved techniques for cataract surgery and a reduction in the prevalence of macular degeneration may be the driving forces behind this change, the researchers said.

"From 1984 until 2010, the decrease in visual impairment in those 65 and older was highly statistically significant," said Angelo P. Tanna, M.D., first author of the study. "There was little change in visual impairments in adults under the age of 65."

The study, published in the journal Ophthalmology, shows that in 1984, 23 percent of elderly adults had difficulty reading or seeing newspaper print because of poor eyesight. By 2010, there was an age-adjusted 58 percent decrease in this kind of visual impairment, with only 9.7 percent of elderly reporting the problem.

There was also a substantial decline in eyesight problems that limited elderly Americans from taking part in daily activities, such as bathing, dressing or getting around inside or outside of the home, according to the study.

"The findings are exciting, because they suggest that currently used diagnostic and screening tools and therapeutic interventions for various ophthalmic diseases are helping to prolong the vision of elderly Americans," Tanna said.

Tanna is the vice chairman of ophthalmology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Stephen Kaye, of the Institute for Health & Aging and Disability Statistics Center, University of California, is the second author of the study.

The study used self-reported data collected from 1984 to 2010 through two major population-based surveys, the National Health Interview Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation.

Survey questions revealed how vision problems can impact the daily activities and quality of life of Americans and helped researchers analyze trends in the prevalence of visual impairment of adults in the United States.

While this study didn't identify any of the causes of the change in the prevalence of visual impairment, Tanna said there are three likely reasons for the decline: Improved techniques and outcomes for cataract surgery Less smoking, resulting in a drop in the prevalence of macular degeneration Treatments for diabetic eye diseases are more readily available and improved, despite the fact that the prevalence of diabetes has increased Future studies should identify which treatment strategies help prevent vision in older adults and then make those treatments available to as many people as possible, Tanna said. Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release. Click 'references' tab above for source.
Visit our eye health / blindness section for the latest news on this subject. This study was funded by a grant from Research to Prevent Blindness and by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, US Department of Education (grant H133B080002).
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Eyesight Problems Reducing Among Older Americans

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Academic Journal
Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Also Included In: Seniors / Aging;  Diabetes
Article Date: 29 Jun 2012 - 2:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Eyesight Problems Reducing Among Older Americans

Older Americans are reporting fewer serious eyesight problems today than they were a generation ago, according to a new study published in the journal Ophthalmology recently. The researchers suggest improvements in healthcare such as cataract surgery and lower rates of macular degeneration may be the main reasons.

First author Dr Angelo P. Tanna, from the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University in Chicago, told the press on Wednesday:

"From 1984 until 2010, the decrease in visual impairment in those 65 and older was highly statistically significant."

But he and his co-author, Dr Stephen Kaye, of the Institute for Health & Aging and Disability Statistics Center, University of California, found little change in visual impairments among adults under 65.

Tanna, who is vice chairman of ophthalmology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, described the findings as "exciting", because they "suggest that currently used diagnostic and screening tools and therapeutic interventions for various ophthalmic diseases are helping to prolong the vision of elderly Americans".

Tanna and Kaye examined self-reported data collected via two major population-based surveys, the National Health Interview Survey and the Survey of Income and Program Participation between 1984 and 2010. These surveys sample between 80,000 and 160,000 non-institutionalized adults every year.

The researchers found: 23% of adults in 1984 experienced difficulty reading or seeing newspaper print because of poor eyesight.
By 2010, this figure was down to 9.7%, representing a reduction of 58% in this kind of visual impairment.
A significant reduction in eyesight problems that stopped older Americans from doing ordinary essential daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, or just getting around inside their home.The data did not allow the researchers to investigate the possible causes of these improvements.

But Tanna suggests three likely reasons. One is improvements in cataract surgery, another is falling numbers of smokers, which reduces prevalence of macular degeneration, and the third is treatments for diabetic eye disease are much better and more readily available now, even though the number of people with diabetes has gone up.

Tanna called for further studies to find the best ways to prevent vision problems in older adults and then for decisionmakers to make those available to as many people as possible.

Funds from the Research to Prevent Blindness and by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, US Department of Education paid for the study.

Written by Catharine Paddock
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Visit our eye health / blindness section for the latest news on this subject. "Trends in Self-reported Visual Impairment in the United States: 1984 to 2010s"; Angelo P. Tanna, H. Stephen Kaye ; Ophthalmology, published online 08 June 2012; DOI:10.1016/j.ophtha.2012.04.018; Link to Abstract.
Additional source: Northwestern University.
Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

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Catharine Paddock PhD. "Eyesight Problems Reducing Among Older Americans." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 29 Jun. 2012. Web.
5 Jul. 2012. APA

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'Eyesight Problems Reducing Among Older Americans'

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All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

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How Ganoderma Lucidum Helps Prevent and Stop Allergy and Sinus Problems!

Do you suffer from allergies? Do you have red puffy eyes when you wake up in the morning... that feel like they are full of sand and so itchy that you want to claw out your eyeballs? No manner of scratching or rubbing will help... only make it worse. It drives you crazy! Then the runny nose starts... followed by a hacking cough and a sinus migraine headache that would stop a truck. My headaches would get so bad that I just wanted to die. I would go into my bedroom, shut out the lights, cover my face with the heating pad and pray it would ease some and eventually go away. No amount of sinus medication or allergy pills seemed to help. If anything, it intensified things.

Have you experienced some or all of these uncomfortable symptoms that made life just miserable? Trying to carry on a normal routine, looking after young children, doing my housework, going to my place of employment and trying to be civil to people in the workplace was almost impossible. I worked for a lawyer and trying to take dictation and type on the typewriter (before computers) was horrible. Every pound of the keys sent vibrations throughout my head that were horrific and I just wanted the workday to end so I could go home. But at home things were no better. Most of time it was only the passing of the hours that brought some relief. I just had to bear with it. Not a pleasant experience! Not something you want to see anyone else have to deal with. That is why I am writing this article, hoping it will help someone who is experiencing what I went through find some relief.

In starting my search for answers I found out something I did not know before and it changed the way I addressed my allergy concerns. The following is information that helped me get on track to finding solutions to my problems:

A. Deficiencies of the Immune System:

"When the immune system is deficient or does not function properly, it leaves the body susceptible to a wide array of illnesses. However, allergies and hypersensitivity to certain substances are considered immune system disorders."

B. Allergies are Immune System Disorders:

"Allergies are disorders of the immune system. Most allergic reactions are a result of an immune system that responds to a "false alarm." When a harmless substance such as dust, mold, or pollen is encountered by a person who is allergic to that substance, the immune system may react dramatically, by producing antibodies that "attack" the allergen (substances that produce allergic reactions). The result of an allergen entering a susceptible person's body may include wheezing, itching, runny nose, and watery or itchy eyes, and other symptoms... ." Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

If you have allergies and enter a room where someone has doused themselves with perfume... how long does it take for your nose to let you know it does not like the scent? What about going to a friend's house and their pet cat decides it prefers your lap to any other comfortable place in the room? Much more serious, what if you are allergic to bee stings or Peanuts... that could be life threatening. If you have an immune system disorder all the foregoing are concerns you must be aware of. Allergies can also trigger asthma attacks which can be very serious, even life threatening.

Due to major surgery that depleted my immune system, I developed not only allergies... but an asthmatic condition that was so severe that I was taken to the hospital on several occasions for emergency treatment. I was constantly fighting off allergy attacks and lived in fear of another asthma attack that would send me back to the hospital. After going to an Allergist and Asthma specialist, only to find out that my condition was chronic and would not improve but only get worse over time... I decided to look to alternative treatments and supplements that might help alleviate my condition.

An Answer At Last!

It was not until I clued into the fact that Allergies are caused by Immune disorders did the "light bulb" come on. Neither my doctor nor the specialists I went to provided me with this information. If they had done so, it would have helped me tremendously in my search for a solution. Either they did not know or felt the information would be beyond my comprehension, I am not sure... .but without that information, I would still be suffering today from this problem.

A friend of mine gave me a sample of coffee with an herb in it that had an immediate effect on my immune system's allergy symptoms. At first, I could not understand why one cup of this coffee, with this particular herb, could all of a sudden take away my sinus headache. This herb is called the Red Reishi Mushroom. I started doing some research and this is what I found.

There have been many studies on the effects of Reishi on the immune system, including its Anti-Allergic/Anti-Inflammatory Actions.

During the 1970s and 1980s, Reishi's anti-allergy action became the subject of ongoing research in both China and Japan. Studies showed that Reishi inhibited all four types of allergic reactions, with positive effects on asthma and contact dermatitis. Depression can also be caused by food allergies. Research shows Reishi's dramatic help in clearing food allergies. Reishi revitalizes the blood and helps normalize IgG, an immunoglobulin responsible for triggering many food allergies.

Just What is Ganoderma Lucidum Anyway?

The Red Reishi also known as Ganoderma Lucidum, is primarily grown in the Orient. Those who study the Reishi for it's medicinal purposes are amazed at it versatility in working with the human body. It's adaptogenic properties make it the most powerful herb on the planet... giving it the status of the "King of Herbs" in China. Natural foods like the Reishi exist in nature for a reason, they provide us with the help we need to keep our bodies finetuned, providing antioxidants and nutrients that our diet does not provide. The Orientals practice preventative medicine and the Reishi is on top of their list in the prevention of disease. Do you think we maybe could take a lesson from them?

How Does Ganoderma Work?

I needed to know more about how this amazing herb could be so effective. I did more research and found the answer... I found out that the Reishi supports and builds up the Immune system. It has so many properties that I decided to continue my growth of knowledge about this amazing herb. I have been able to reach many, many people, who after trying this herb, have found it has the ability to provide solutions to their many health concerns. I am in awe of this miraculous mushroom called the Red Reishi and my continual research has increased my appreciation of what nature can provide us and I will continue to pass on this valuable information to everyone who wants to benefit from my findings.

"Life is a precious gift from God. Although fragile, it demands our continual nurturing and should never be taken for granted." Java Joan Maxymuik.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided on our email or company web site and on all publications, packaging, and labels is for general purposes only and designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. It is not intended to substitute advice from your physician or health- care professional.

Joan Maxymuik,

Trainer and Coach.

Email: jmaxymuik@cogeco.ca

My name is Joan Maxymuik and I have been on a search for answers to serious health concerns. Why do some people never seem to get sick? Why do other people seem to be sick most of their lives? In an ever-changing world of health care cutbacks and escalating costs, people are looking for answers. It is my hope that I can bring you valuable information that will be of benefit to you and yours. In my research I found an herb that has turned my life around, Ganoderma Lucidum, the Reishi Mushroom.

Joan Maxymuik,
Trainer and Coach,
Personal Website - http://organojavajoan.com
Member of Madison's Who's Who