Welcome
to the monthly iSight publication from Pacific Vision Institute Research Foundation! We look forward to becoming
your resource for the most up-to-date information about your eye health, vision correction procedures, vision
research, and curious and fun facts about this complex and wonderful sense, our eye sight.
Eye Health - No more un-bearable dry eye
Many of us know about the
importance of Omega-3 fatty acids in our cardiovascular health. Did you know that studies found these fatty acids to
be as important in improving the health of tear film as well? Oil glands in our lid margins produce lipids that
stabilize our tear film and prevent it from vaporizing when we keep our eyes open for any length of time, such as
when we look at the computer screen or read. When our tear film is stable, our eyes feel comfortable and our vision
is good. As we get older or when we use certain medications such as anti-allergy pills, birth control pills, and
anti-depressants, the lipid composition may change and our tear film may become unstable. Omega-3 fatty acids to
the rescue! Where do we find them? Fish is an excellent source, but so are the supplements from a health food store.
Also, Flax seed oil caplets taken daily have been shown to significantly improve tear film stability. Most recently,
Hydroeyes (www.sciencebasedhealth.com)
supplements have combined Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids reduce inflammation and
provide a potent addition to tear-film stabilizing action of Omega-3 fatty acids
What's new in vision correction procedures
With LASIK and PRK, the
cornea is reshaped with a laser to improve distance vision. With NearVision CK (conductive keratoplasty), the cornea
is reshaped with radiofrequency energy to improve near vision for reading and computer work. This procedure used to
be just for people who haven’t had any previous vision correction procedures, such as LASIK or PRK, forexample. Not
any more. At the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, scientists presented the results of NearVision CK
in people who already had their distance vision improved with laser vision correction. In these patients, NearVision
CK worked safely and effectively to improve reading vision, while their distance vision remained good.
Tech Corner
The US Navy initiated a
program that will offer all-laser IntraLASIK with IntraLase FS laser to its aviators for the first time since the
procedure was introduced for the treatment of refractive error. Based on the results of clinical trials, the Bureau
of Naval Medicine has determined that this procedure is safe for pilots who are frequently exposed to high altitude,
dry air, windblasts, and G forces. IntraLase entered an agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency to provide its
femtosecond lasers not only to the US Navy, but also to the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian
agencies.
Fun Eye Facts
Many fans of Spanish
Mannerist painter El Greco wonder if he unintentionally elongated the figures in his paintings because of
astigmatism. This is not likely for a variety of reasons: the figures he sketched in pencil had normal proportions,
and when he distorted the figures in his paintings he elongated angels’ bodies more than mortals. But to further
study this question, a researcher in San Diego had subjects draw squares by copying and by freehand while wearing
glasses that induced an astigmatic error in their vision. Though their drawings were distorted initially, after
two days the subjects had adapted to the distortion and were able to draw accurate squares. So even if El Greco
had astigmatism, it is safe to assume he would have adapted to it, and the elongation of his figures was likely
an intentional artistic expression. Perhaps they represent the human spirit ever straining upward.
415.922.9500
Eye Health - No more un-bearable dry eye
Many of us know about the
importance of Omega-3 fatty acids in our cardiovascular health. Did you know that studies found these fatty acids to
be as important in improving the health of tear film as well? Oil glands in our lid margins produce lipids that
stabilize our tear film and prevent it from vaporizing when we keep our eyes open for any length of time, such as
when we look at the computer screen or read. When our tear film is stable, our eyes feel comfortable and our vision
is good. As we get older or when we use certain medications such as anti-allergy pills, birth control pills, and
anti-depressants, the lipid composition may change and our tear film may become unstable. Omega-3 fatty acids to
the rescue! Where do we find them? Fish is an excellent source, but so are the supplements from a health food store.
Also, Flax seed oil caplets taken daily have been shown to significantly improve tear film stability. Most recently,
Hydroeyes (
With LASIK and PRK, the
cornea is reshaped with a laser to improve distance vision. With NearVision CK (conductive keratoplasty), the cornea
is reshaped with radiofrequency energy to improve near vision for reading and computer work. This procedure used to
be just for people who haven’t had any previous vision correction procedures, such as LASIK or PRK, forexample. Not
any more. At the recent American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting, scientists presented the results of NearVision CK
in people who already had their distance vision improved with laser vision correction. In these patients, NearVision
CK worked safely and effectively to improve reading vision, while their distance vision remained good.
The US Navy initiated a
program that will offer all-laser IntraLASIK with IntraLase FS laser to its aviators for the first time since the
procedure was introduced for the treatment of refractive error. Based on the results of clinical trials, the Bureau
of Naval Medicine has determined that this procedure is safe for pilots who are frequently exposed to high altitude,
dry air, windblasts, and G forces. IntraLase entered an agreement with the Defense Logistics Agency to provide its
femtosecond lasers not only to the US Navy, but also to the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian
agencies.
Many fans of Spanish
Mannerist painter El Greco wonder if he unintentionally elongated the figures in his paintings because of
astigmatism. This is not likely for a variety of reasons: the figures he sketched in pencil had normal proportions,
and when he distorted the figures in his paintings he elongated angels’ bodies more than mortals. But to further
study this question, a researcher in San Diego had subjects draw squares by copying and by freehand while wearing
glasses that induced an astigmatic error in their vision. Though their drawings were distorted initially, after
two days the subjects had adapted to the distortion and were able to draw accurate squares. So even if El Greco
had astigmatism, it is safe to assume he would have adapted to it, and the elongation of his figures was likely
an intentional artistic expression. Perhaps they represent the human spirit ever straining upward.