Family History of Glaucoma

?

Glaucoma has been called the ?sneaky thief of sight.? Victims of this eye disease experience gradual vision loss that may not be recognized until it?s too late. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide. If your family has a history of glaucoma, you have a 6% chance of developing the disease as well.


Glaucoma Effects

Pressure builds up inside the eye of the glaucoma patient. If treatment is not administered early, the optic nerve is damaged and vision begins to fade resulting in blindness.


Glaucoma Types

There are several types of glaucoma.

Open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of the disease and heredity is the most common factor.

? Open-angle glaucoma is caused by pressure build-up due to clogged drainage canals of the eye preventing fluid to flow out of the eye.

? Vision loss is gradual and can be treated with medication if caught early.

? It is vital that people over 40 have regular eye exams to measure intra-ocular eye pressure, especially if your parents or siblings have the disease.

Angle-closure glaucoma can progress gradually or suddenly. The iris blocks the drainage canals causing blurred vision, ?rainbows? around lights, eye pain, headaches and nausea. Surgery relieves fluid trapped within the eye resulting in a long term or permanent solution. Other symptoms include the following:

? Halos, blurry or cloudy vision

? Vision decreases

? Severe eye pain

? Extreme sensitivity to light

? Excessive blinking and runny eye

? Crossed or out-turned eyes

? One eye becoming larger than the other

? Nausea, headache

Normal tension glaucoma can be treated with surgery or medication.

? The patient?s eye pressure is normal but the optic nerve is damaged.

? Cardiovascular disease can increase the risk of this form of glaucoma.

Congenital glaucoma occurs in babies when the eye doesn?t develop properly in uterine.

Secondary glaucoma is caused by disease, injury or other eye problems.


Other Risk Factors for Glaucoma

Anyone is susceptible to losing his or her eyesight from this devastating disease. Heredity plays a big role but there are other common factors that elevate risk.

  • High blood pressure
  • Low blood pressure for people 60 and over

Race:

? African Americans 40 and over ? glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness

? Hispanics 60 and over have a higher risk of open angle glaucoma

? Asian & Eskimo descent have a higher risk of closed angle glaucoma

? Japanese Americans have a higher risk of normal tension glaucoma

Age

? Risk rises significantly for people aged 40 and over

? 60 and over are 6-times more likely than others to develop glaucoma

  • Diabetes ? doubles the risk

Injuries

? Dislocated lens retinal detachment

? Eye tumor

Eye problems

? Myopia ? extreme nearsightedness

? Hyperopia ? extreme farsightedness

? Thin corneas

  • Steroid use

{authorbox}

Ive Been Taking Ambien Cr For Over A Year, Are There Any Bad Side Affects I Should Aware Of?

i started taking ambien 10mg after having surgery cause i couldnt sleep due to the pain. it became rather addicting quite quickly. my first doctor .gave me only a 3 month refill. now my primary care physician has been prescribing ambien cr (12mg) for almost a year and ive become totally dependent on it got sleep, especially if i chase it down with a beer,. ive stopped smoking marijuana now cause its cheaper and easier to get ambien cr. can anyone tell me the real truth about ambien cr and its side affects. im 59, male, 5′10′, good health. any advice would be sincerel. my goal is yo be alive by 59 1/2y so i can take out my 401k without any penalty, claim that i have glaucoma (which I do) and srart to grow my own weed. i would rather smoke maruijuana than dropping pills, even though i work at a pharmaceutical drug company. tell me about the ambien cr, good or bad. thank you suki

Keratoconus And Medicinal Cannibis??

i have kerotoconus in both eyes wore piggy back contacts hard over soft for years had a cornea transplant in left eye 3 yrs ago healed and was fitted wit a contact for the trans eye wit a contact for astigmatism/. had neovascularization of my left cornea bout 5 mo,’s ago so took out every stitch which chanmged my RX for that eye an got a new lense fitted. i started smokin pot bout 3 years ago when an optom. told me that it does decrease corneal sensitivity hence why it was tolerable wearin the rgp over soft lenses when i smoked freq. but every now an then i run out or am broke for few days an durrin them few days it gets unbearable to wear the piggy back lenses in right eye again like before majorly and my left eye wit lense in goes all blurry as hell as if i got wrong RX in it. and when i get more pot an smoke couple times i seem to do better as time goes by say hourly. i aint making this upo either like some would say im a pothead lookin for a justified excuse, well yeah i am a pot head was one in my teens quit for 5 yrs to work railroad const. cuz of drug screens and when my KT got worse i started again and noticed awesome results in little time only they last as long as i smoke on a regular basis at least once a day usually i do my dose at night before bed also helps unwind and sleep too. now can i can an educated persons HONEST opinion on this link wit pot an keratoconus. i honestly am not making this up wat i concluded from usin pot wit KT…. most see that i used prior to bein diagnosed wit KT and they just assume im lookin for a free pass to smoke pot for kix. not true people so only doctors and people who are familiar with keratoconus respond. aint interested in the drugs are bad crap. p[ots not a drug. cocaine heroin and meth and pills are drugs. not pot. and FYI i graduated honor roll in my class so for those who think pot trashes ur life ur wrong i smoked almost daily all thruout high school…also some info i have read says that KT can lead to glaucoma esp in corneal transplant patients later afterward. could i maybe be experiencing symptoms of glaucoma and the pot keeps my pressure low enough in my eye to where it dont bother me til i dont smoke 4 a couple days. i also live in a state that does not have medicinal pot laws so my dr’s will not discuss it wit me due to legalities etc… i aint crazy nor am i high right now while typing this so i am totally aware of wat i am talking about. thank you in advance for who ever responds hopefully an eye dr who’s educated in keratoconus(KT) and is aware of effects of marijuana on the eyes in conjunction with kt possibly

How Does Lasik Surgery Affect Glaucoma?

Many people who have the desire for Lasik surgery are worried about getting it, because they also have glaucoma. They become concerned that they will damage their eyes through Lasik or that the procedure will make their glaucoma worse. While it is understandable that a person is worried about his or her eyesight and wants to protect it, many concerns about Lasik can be alleviated by talking to an eye doctor and having one?s questions answered. By doing this, a patient can make the best and most informed decision, leading to the best outcome, whatever the decision is.

What is Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes a gradual loss of vision. It is generally caused by high intraocular pressure (the pressure inside the eye). However, it is important to remember that the thickness of a person?s cornea and other factors can affect eye pressure. What is high to one person might not be high to another person, so checking it over time and watching carefully for any damage or risk factors is important. High intraocular pressure that is uncontrolled and not ?normal? for a person — someone with thicker corneas, for example, will generally have higher eye pressure — can cause a deterioration of the optic nerve. A person will notice that their peripheral vision becomes less and less, and eventually, if not treated, the person will be looking ?through a tunnel? before losing vision completely.

There is Good News

There is some good news on two fronts. First, glaucoma is treatable. Once vision is lost, it cannot be recovered. However, the vision that has not yet been lost can be saved through prescription medications that stop or drastically slow the progression of the disease. Second, there is no evidence that Lasik surgery either causes glaucoma or makes it worse. The Lasik procedure deals with the cornea of the eye, as opposed to dealing with the inside of the eye. Since the intraocular pressure is inside the eye, it is not affected by it. The only ?concern? is that the pressure in the eye after Lasik may read lower than it actually is, so an eye doctor should be made aware of this. Beyond that, however, there are no other concerns when it comes to Lasik and glaucoma.

The Lasik Procedure

The procedure that takes place during Lasik is a relatively simple one. The patient is given a sedative if needed, and anesthetic drops are placed in the eyes to numb them. The eye is held open with a gentle restraint and a flap is cut in the corner. Sometimes this is done with a blade, but more and more people are offering bladeless Lasik, meaning that the laser is used to cut the flap. After the flap is cut and folded back, the laser is used to reshape the inner layers of the cornea. When the laser is done, the corneal flap is put back into place and begins to heal almost immediately. Medicated eye drops are given to the patient to put in his or her eye, and specific after-care instructions are also given, so that the chance of any kind of complication will be reduced. The entire Lasik procedure takes about 15 minutes, and is considered to be extremely safe.

For more and more people, Lasik is becoming the option that they choose to correct their vision. It is much safer than it used to be, and there are fewer complications as well.

Recent studies indicate that laser eye surgery has now surpassed contact lenses for safety, which means more people will likely be getting the surgery. For example, for someone who has glaucoma, there is no need to worry about Lasik making it worse or causing any kind of problem.

{authorbox}

Some Things About Treatment and Prognosis of Diabetes

It is known that diabetes can be a life- threatening condition, so it is important for patients to treat it under medical supervision. There exist a lot of alternative therapies that can help manage the symptoms of diabetes. For example, by stimulating some points, acupuncture can help relieve the pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. Of course, for this, it is needed the help of a qualified practitioner.

Helpful in managing diabetes are also the herbal remedies. They can adjust blood sugar levels or manage other diabetic symptoms. We can mention some of these options. For example, some studies showed that fenugreek reduces blood insulin and glucose levels while also lowering cholesterol; garlic may lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and bilberry helps to maintain healthy blood vessels and also may lower blood glucose levels.

Gingko biloba is known to have a role in maintaining blood flow to the retina, and in this way preventing diabetic retinopathy, cayenne pepper relieve pain in the peripheral nerves, and onions may lower blood glucose levels by freeing insulin to metabolize them.

Therapies that lower stress levels are important in treating diabetes, because this will reduce insulin requirements. We can mention here hypnotherapy, biofeedback, and meditation.

It is known that uncontrolled diabetes can lead to blindness, end-stage renal disease, and limb amputations. Also, there can occur eye problems like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

When nerve endings, particularly in the legs and feet, become less sensitive, we can say there appeared the condition called diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The inability to sense pain, and also the complications of delayed wound healing that appear cause minor injuries, blisters, or callouses becoming infected and difficult to treat. There are cases of severe infection, when the infected tissue begins to break down and rot away. Unfortunately, sometimes due to the severe infection, there may be needed the amputation of toes, feet, or legs.

Common complications of diabetes are also heart disease and kidney disease. The need for kidney dialysis or a kidney transplant due to kidney failure can appear because of the long- term complications.

We must also mention that babies born to diabetic mothers have an increased risk of birth defects and distress at birth.

It is known that the onset of Type I diabetes is unpredictable, but in what concerns the risk of developing Type II diabetes this can be reduced by maintaining ideal weight and exercising.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important in order to prevent the onset of Type II diabetes and further complications of the disease.

So, if you want to find out more about symptoms of diabetes or even about type 2 diabetes please follow this link http://diabetes-info-center.com/

{authorbox}

Presciption?!?

is it possible to obtain a marijuana prescription if i live in texas i was thinking since i have glaucoma i could have a doc write me a prescription and is it possible to have a californian doc write it and send it to me and it stil be valid? and if so does anyone know a doc that would do it

Amalaki Fruit and Its Properties

Ever wondered if you could find a single cure to anti-aging, skin diseases, heart diseases etc.? Well, you can find the answer to all these problems and more because everything is power packed in one small fruit - the humble Gooseberry. A relative of the currant family, the gooseberry, also known as Amla, Amlaki, Vayastha and Dhatriphala, it has many curative powers just like other berries. However this is a berry which has extra curative powers. If one were to consider an analogy, the following one would be apt - gold is to the world of minerals as amla is to the world of herbs. Such is the wondrous value of the great herb.

Vitamin C in abundance

The Gooseberry is an abundant source if vitamin C. It cools the body, acts as a mild laxative, is a diuretic and is antibacterial as well. When dried, it is used primarily for conditions like diarrhea, hemorrhage and dysentery. It treats all forms of ulcers and can eliminate any form of constipation or piles condition. It is also used in the treatment of artherosclerosis as well as leucorrhea. Being such a rich source of natural vitamin C, it is an excellent anti-aging remedy. When applied topically, it cures all kinds of skin infections. When dried and powdered and applied on the scalp, it makes hair thick and shiny and lustrous. It rejuvenates skin, prevents infections and increases the natural immunity of the human body. One gooseberry is equivalent to the strength of two oranges put together. It is an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that tend to damage the skin. One of the greatest mysteries of this wonderful herb is that even when cooked, the vitamin C content does not diminish.

Eye problems

The gooseberry is extremely beneficial for all eye ailments. The juice if mixed with honey, can help in improving the eyesight. It also treats common kinds of eye infections like conjunctivitis and glaucoma. It also reduces the tension in the intraocular region. The way the juice is to be administered is as follows: one cup of the Amla juice needs to be mixed with honey and this dosage needs to be taken twice a day.

Beneficial for the liver

The liver as we all know is a vital organ responsible for our proper digestion and food intake. With the increased usage of chemicals in today’s modern world, there is bound to be a build up of toxins in the liver. With the regular intake of Amla juice one can strengthen the condition of the liver and also eliminate all the toxins built up in the system. It purifies and cleanses the blood of all its impurities. When taken along with neem, it is a great cure for eliminating pimples occurring on the skin.

Brain functioning

Amlaki when taken internally helps to improve the functioning of the brain. It makes a person more alert and active. It improves and sharpens memory and also strengthens the central nervous system. This is one main reason why it’s so good for improving immune systems. This is how it enables the body to fight common diseases.

Heart conditions

Amlaki is also great for toning and strengthening the muscles of the heart. It helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases like stroke etc. It dilates the walls of the arteries and blood vessels in the heart and thereby helps to reduce blood pressure.

Diabetes

Today diabetes is a common disease that affects many people. It’s when the pancreas fail in their function to regulate the blood sugar levels, that diabetes occurs. In such a condition, the Amlaki comes to the rescue. When equal quantities of Amla, bitter gourd and the Jamun fruit are mixed together, this mixture when taken in a teaspoon twice a day, can help in curing diabetes.

Acidity

Amlaki is also great in treating conditions like acidity. Constant intake of spicy, sour and sweet types of food can result in increased acidity levels in the stomach. Even consuming too much of tea and coffee can result in acidity. If you take a gram of the Amlaki powder mixed with sugar in milk, about twice everyday, you will be cured of acidity completely.

{authorbox}

Deciding If Corrective Laser Eye Surgery Is For You

For those of us who deal with the ramifications of less than perfect vision on a daily basis, we know how much our routines can center on maintaining our eyewear; from uncomfortable glasses that get in our way, to contact lenses that dry our eyes and always seem to go missing at the most inopportune moments. And when you add to that the expense of vision treatment for those who wear glasses or contacts, it can be downright frustrating. But what most people have come to discover is that corrective laser eye surgery - a procedure that takes less than an hour and costs considerably less than a lifetime of vision correction prescriptions - can not only perfect your vision but address a number of eye conditions with which many people suffer.

Corrective laser eye surgery can allow you to finally have the vision you have always wanted; most patients are able to achieve 20/20 vision even immediately following the procedure. For those who have suffered with poor vision their entire lives, this can be a miracle procedure. And for those who suffer from such degenerative conditions as dry eye - wherein sufferers experience itchy, burning eyes, glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration, corrective laser eye surgery can be a saving grace.

When most people think of corrective laser eye surgery they immediately think of Lasik surgery - a popular procedure that is used to correct vision. But the truth is that corrective eye surgery is rather like an umbrella phrase under which all manner of corrective procedures fall. Lasik is indeed one of the procedures that falls under this umbrella and is considered to be an excimer laser procedure - through which the cornea of the eye is reshaped by laser. Lasik - and the procedures like it - correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. The difference between the various excimer laser procedures is the type of laser that is used and the technique that is followed depending on what particular procedure is likely to bring you the most success based on the condition and shape of your eyes.

Non-excimer laser procedures are another group that falls with corrective laser eye surgery. Such procedures involve one of three things: the insertion of permanent lenses into the eye, the reshaping of the eye using laser energy or radio waves instead of lasers themselves, or the actual cutting of the eye. These procedures are meant for those who experience severely compromised vision or cataracts.

Other corrective eye surgery may include more complex and comprehensive procedures such as cornea transplants during which healthy tissue from a donor eye is transplanted into the eye of someone whose own cornea has been compromised due to injury or illness. There is also a procedure that is used to treat Keratoconus - or the bulging of the corneas; during this procedure the surgeon places plastic inserts (Intacs) onto the corners of the cornea to flatten them.

Not surprisingly, as technology continues to advance, corrective laser eye surgery continues to make similar advancements. More and more people have come to discover that it is no longer necessary to live with permanent vision impairment. If you feel that you may be a candidate for such procedures, see your eye doctor for a thorough examination.

{authorbox}

The Humble Goosberry

Just in from Pawel Reszka:

Ever wondered if you could find a help for aging, skin diseases, heart diseases etc.? Well, you can find the answer to all these problems and more because everything is power packed in one small fruit - the humble Gooseberry. A relative of the currant family, the gooseberry, also known as Amla, Amlaki, Vayastha and Dhatriphala, it has many curative powers just like other berries. However this is a berry which has extra curative powers. If one were to consider an analogy, the following one would be apt - gold is to the world of minerals as amla is to the world of herbs. Such is the wondrous value of the great herb.

Vitamin C in abundance

The Gooseberry is an abundant source if vitamin C. It cools the body, acts as a mild laxative, is a diuretic and is antibacterial as well. When dried, it is used primarily for conditions like diarrhea, hemorrhage and dysentery. It treats all forms of ulcers and can eliminate any form of constipation or piles condition. It is also used in the treatment of artherosclerosis as well as leucorrhea. Being such a rich source of natural vitamin C, it is an excellent anti-aging remedy. When applied topically, it cures all kinds of skin infections. When dried and powdered and applied on the scalp, it makes hair thick and shiny and lustrous. It rejuvenates skin, prevents infections and increases the natural immunity of the human body. One gooseberry is equivalent to the strength of two oranges put together. It is an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals that tend to damage the skin. One of the greatest mysteries of this wonderful herb is that even when cooked, the vitamin C content does not diminish.

Eye problems

The gooseberry is extremely beneficial for all eye ailments. The juice if mixed with honey, can help in improving the eyesight. It also treats common kinds of eye infections like conjunctivitis and glaucoma. It also reduces the tension in the intraocular region. The way the juice is to be administered is as follows: one cup of the Amla juice needs to be mixed with honey and this dosage needs to be taken twice a day.

Beneficial for the liver

The liver as we all know is a vital organ responsible for our proper digestion and food intake. With the increased usage of chemicals in today?s modern world, there is bound to be a build up of toxins in the liver. With the regular intake of Amla juice one can strengthen the condition of the liver and also eliminate all the toxins built up in the system. It purifies and cleanses the blood of all its impurities. When taken along with neem, it is a great cure for eliminating pimples occurring on the skin.

Brain functioning

Amlaki when taken internally helps to improve the functioning of the brain. It makes a person more alert and active. It improves and sharpens memory and also strengthens the central nervous system. This is one main reason why it?s so good for improving immune systems. This is how it enables the body to fight common diseases.

Heart conditions

Amlaki is also great for toning and strengthening the muscles of the heart. It helps in reducing the risk of heart diseases like stroke etc. It dilates the walls of the arteries and blood vessels in the heart and thereby helps to reduce blood pressure.

Diabetes

Today diabetes is a common disease that affects many people. It?s when the pancreas fail in their function to regulate the blood sugar levels, that diabetes occurs. In such a condition, the Amlaki comes to the rescue. When equal quantities of Amla, bitter gourd and the Jamun fruit are mixed together, this mixture when taken in a teaspoon twice a day, can help in curing diabetes.

Acidity

Amlaki is also great in treating conditions like acidity. Constant intake of spicy, sour and sweet types of food can result in increased acidity levels in the stomach. Even consuming too much of tea and coffee can result in acidity. If you take a gram of the Amlaki powder mixed with sugar in milk, about twice everyday, you will be cured of acidity completely.

SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

www.bigredbottle.com

Zrii and The Original Amalaki are registered trademarks of Zrii LLC

The Chopra Center is a registered trademark of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing

{authorbox}

Cannabis After Retinal Detachment Surgery?

I’m wondering if there is any danger associated with smoking cannabis after undergoing scleral buckle surgery for a detached retina. I understand that it will increase blood flow to the eye, which would have an, at best, minimal therapeutic effect. I’m more concerned with the changes in ocular pressure. There is an air bubble injected inside the eye during the procedure and I don’t know if the change in ocular pressure that occurs from cannabis smoking would be enough to either create problems for the bubble, and by extension vision, or create an environment that would be dangerous for the recovering retina.
Alcohol and cigarette smoke have a minimal effect on the recovery, but I wonder if anyone knows if this extends to cannabis as well.
This is not for copious amounts, but for moderate ingestion for relaxation etc.
Any M.D.’s out there that can answer this, or anyone in the know? It’s difficult to find info online because the debate over marijuana use for glaucoma treatment dominates search queries.
Thanks.

Next Page »