Grapes may support ocular health

Compounds found in grapes may help protect against eye disease, according to new research led by researchers at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The study showed that a diet supplemented with grapes was able to counter damage from oxidative stress and preserve retinal structure and function in a laboratory model of retinal degeneration, the university said. The study was funded by the California Table Grape Commission; researchers investigated whether a diet supplemented with grapes, in the form of whole grape freeze-dried powder, would protect the photoreceptors of the retina from degeneration induced by acute oxidative stress. Mice were fed the grape-supplemented diet (corresponding to about 3 servings per day for humans), a sugar-matched control diet, or a normal chow control diet. Both retinal structure and function were preserved in the mice consuming the grape-enriched diet, where they maintained their retinal thickness, the quantity of photoreceptors, and the amount of photoreceptor activity, despite the elevated oxidative stress conditions. Conversely, in the non-grape consuming group, retinas were damaged, displaying holes and lesions, and with a significant decrease in thickness.

Cataract surgery linked to reduced mortality by 30%

Researchers evaluated the association between cataract surgery and mortality in a 5% random sample of U.S. Medicare beneficiaries. Overall, those who had cataract surgery lived longer.

Data was collected over a 10-year period from a cohort of more than 1.5 million patients.  This is the largest study of its kind making the results more valid since the sample size was so high.  Patients who had cataract surgery had a nearly 30% less mortality compared with those who did not have cataract surgery.

The association between extended life span and cataract surgery was significant outside of differences in systemic health problems like hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetis.  The association was strongest in women, in 80 to 84 year olds, and in those living in Western states.

The authors of this study hypothesize that cataract surgery improves a patient’s ability to care for themselves and remain physically and socially active, thus prolonging their life.

Study: cataract patients who undergo surgery live longer

Study: cataract patients who undergo surgery live longer

A new study has found that people with cataract-related vision loss who undergo surgery for the condition have a 40% lower long-term mortality risk than those who opt not to have surgery, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) said in a press release about a recently published study in its journal.
Researchers evaluated a total of 354 cataract patients aged 49 years and older enrolled in the Blue Mountains Eye Study between 1997 and 2007. Some had undergone cataract surgery while others had not. Subjects were evaluated five and 10 years after baseline exams.
The association between correction of cataract-related visual impairment and reduced mortality risk is not clearly understood, but plausible factors may include improvements in physical and emotional well-being, optimism, greater confidence associated with independent living after vision improvement, as well as greater ability to comply with prescription medications, AAO said. The study acknowledged that participants with cataract-related visual impairment who did not have cataract surgery could have had other health problems preventing them from undergoing surgery, and that these other health problems could partly explain the poorer survival among non-surgical participants.

My practice focuses on diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of cataracts.  If you or your family member need an evaluation, feel free to call our office and schedule a consultation at (949) 650-1863.