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Healthy Living
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, MAY 25, 2017
Two
Helpful Hints For How Women Can Protect Against Osteoporosis
A
Women age 50 and younger need between 400 and 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D each day, while those age 50 and older need between 800 and 1,000 IU each day. The body can get vitamin D from sunlight and supplements or multivitamins. Vitamin D is naturally available in just a few foods, such as fatty fish like wild-caught salmon or tuna. •Include weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises in your workout routine. Weightbearing and muscle-strengthening exercises help women build and maintain bone density. Weightbearing exercises include dancing, high-impact aerobics, jogging/running, and tennis, among others. Muscle-strengthening activities include weightlifting and elastic band exercises. The NOF
bone disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone or both, osteoporosis can be debilitating. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, osteoporosis is responsible for two million broken bones each year, a figure that experts predict with rise to three million by 2025. While anyone can suffer from osteoporosis, women are more likely than men to develop the disease. Studies suggest that while up to one in four men age
50 and older will break a bone due to osteoporosis, one in two women age 50 and older are likely to suffer such a fate. The NOF notes that osteoporosis is often referred to as a silent disease, with many people not even realizing they have it until they suffer a fracture. Because of the silent nature of osteoporosis and their increased vulnerability to it, women may want to take the following measures to protect themselves against this potentially debilitating disease.
•Include ample calcium and vitamin D in your diet. The NOF notes that calcium and vitamin D are both vital to building strong, dense bones when you’re young, and both calcium and vitamin D keep bones strong and healthy as the body ages. Women age 50 and younger need 1,000 milligrams of calcium each day, while those 51 and older need 1,200 milligrams each day. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products like low- or nonfat milk, yogurt and cheese.
notes that certain positions in exercises such as yoga and pilates may not be safe for people with osteoporosis or those at increased risk of broken bones. Speak to a physical therapist about which positions or exercises to avoid. •Pay attention to the beverages you drink. It’s not just the foods you eat that can help or hurt you in the fight against osteoporosis. Heavy consumption of alcohol can contribute to bone loss, while drinks that contain caffeine, including coffee, tea and sodas, can decrease calcium absorption and contribute to bone loss as well. Drink alcohol and caffeinated beverages in moderation. Women are more vulnerable to osteoporosis than men. Learn more about the disease at www. nof.org.
Make Sure To Strengthen Your Back
F
ew health problems are as prevalent as back pain. The American Chiropractic Association says that 50 percent of working Americans admit to having back pain symptoms each year. Bone and Joint Health Canada states that as much as 80 percent of people experience back pain at least once in their lifetime. Back pain can be so significant that it results in a loss of function that impedes daily activities. In fact, according to the 2015 Global Burden of Disease report, back pain is the single leading cause of disability in most countries. Back pain can be a complex issue. According to data complied by TheGoodBody.com, only one in 10 people learns the primary cause of their pain. That’s because many things, including muscle sprains or joint irritation, can contribute to back pain. Other factors that may contribute to back pain include arthritis, stress, obesity, or diseases of the internal organs. Each of these issues can make it challenging to uncover the culprit behind back pain. Ruling out degenerative diseases can be a first step in treating back pain. Doctors also may ask their patients about their level of physical activity. Doctors may want to know if patients suffering back pain See EXERCISE, page 6
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Healthy Living
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, MAY 25, 2017
Three
Don’t Skip Your Exam
Healthy Teeth, Healthy Life
T
he benefits of orthodontic treatment can extend beyond the obvious physical changes of an improved bite and straight teeth. An esthetic smile is a great way to improve a child or adult's self-esteem, image, and confidence. While having beautiful straight teeth is important, orthodontic treatment can avoid or alleviate potential health problems associated with the teeth and jaws. Crooked teeth may contribute to improper oral hygiene, leading to tooth decay and possibly gum disease or tooth loss. The direct impact of oral health on the heart and cardiovascular health has been well-documented in recent years. Facial orthopedic problems left untreated can promote chewing and digestion difficulties, speech impediments, and abnormal wear of tooth surfaces. For some people, improving the jaw relationship can improve improve respiration issues, such as snoring and sleep apnea. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children receive an orthodontic evaluation no later than age 7, to determine if and when treatment is indicated. While orthodontic intervention may not be necessary at this time, thorough examination can predict the most appropriate time to begin treatment. Some advantages of early interceptive therapy include creating facial symmetry and balance, discover missing or extra permanent teeth, correct unfavorable habits such as finger-sucking or mouthbreathing, reduce trauma to protruding upper front teeth, create room for anticipated crowding, reduce or eliminate the need for
extraction of permanent teeth, and reduce comprehensive treatment duration. With all of the recent advances in orthodontic materials and techniques, aligning teeth has become remarkably comfortable and efficient. State-of-the-art treatments are now available, from traditional metal braces, clear and tooth-colored brackets, to wires engineered by NASA that are heat-activated, superelastic, and gently guide teeth. Some patients may even be candidates for treatment with removable clear aligners. An alternative to traditional braces for teenagers and adults, serial aligners are being used by an increased number of orthodontists to move teeth in the same way fixed appliances work, only without brackets and wires. Contemporary orthodontic treatments and guidance can avoid discomfort, psychosocial concerns, and possibly more intense treatment later, while promoting improved dental and systemic health. No matter the age, early detection is the key to preventing future problems. Located in Cheshire, Daniels Orthodontics provides treatment to adolescents, teenagers, and adults. Please contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation- no referral necessary! We are a comprehensive orthodontic practice that will treat you and your family with highest qualities of care and customer service. Dr. Daniels will work with you and your family to develop a customized treatment plan to achieve a confident, healthy, and beautiful smile. Smiles with service, is our business.
F r a n c i s c a n H o m e C a r e a n d H o s p i c e C a r e
A
nnual health exams are a key component of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A person may not see the need to visit the doctor if he or she is feeling well, but not every disease or condition manifests itself in a way that men and women can detect. According the Unity Point Clinic, nearly one-third of the 133 million Americans living with a chronic disease are unaware of the presence of their conditions. Routine physical exams can detect serious illnesses before they do much damage. No two physical exams will be exactly alike, but many will share some general features: Health history A crucial element of a physical exam will include a thorough health history, if the physician doesn’t already have
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Current ailments After discussing a patient’s history, the doctor may ask if they are having any problems they cannot explain. These can include changes in eating or sleeping patterns; aches and pains; lumps or bumps and other abnormalities. Again, the presence of symptoms may be indicative of illness or physical changes, but not all diseases produce obvious symptoms. Vital signs A doctor will check a patient’s
Physical exam The examination will also include physical components. The doctor will perform a visual inSee EXAM, page 4
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one on file. The doctor will take time to ask questions about family history of illness, health habits, any vices—smoking, drinking alcohol, etc.—exercise schedule, and diet. If there is a possible hereditary health condition running through your family, the doctor may suggest certain testing and make note of potential signs to look for in the future.
vital signs during the physical. Areas the doctor will look at include, but are not limited to: •Heart rate: This measures the speed at which the heart is pumping. Normal resting heart rate values range from 60 to 100 beats per minute. •Blood pressure: A blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) will measure systolic and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure measures the force with which the blood is pushing through the arteries. The diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries between beats, when the heart rests. The systolic (top number) should be below 120, while the bottom should be less than 80, according to the Mayo Clinic. •Respiration rate: The doctor will measure the number of breaths taken in a minute. WebMD says between 12 and 16 breaths per minute is normal for a healthy adult. Breathing more than 20 times per minute can suggest heart or lung problems. •Pulse oximetry: Johns Hopkins School of Medicine says pulse oximetry is a test used to measure the oxygen level (oxygen saturation) of the blood. It is a measure of how well oxygen is being sent to the parts of your body furthest from your heart. Normal pulse oximeter readings usually range from 95 to 100 percent. Values under 90 percent are considered low.
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Healthy Living
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, MAY 25, 2017
Four
Be Aware Of Unhealthy Sugars In Common Food Items
T
he healthcare community is increasingly pointing to sugar as one of the biggest contributors to the obesity epidemic that has affected North America. More so than fats, sugar may contribute to a number of conditions that affect overall health. The scary part is that sugar may be lurking in foods that people would not think of as “sugary.” The average American eats between 150 and 170 pounds of refined sugars per year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Approximately 50 percent of U.S. adults drink one sugary beverage per day, and nearly 63 percent of children between the ages 2 and 19 consume at least one sugar-sweetened beverage per day according to a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data from Statistics Canada states that Canadians consume roughly 110 grams of sugar each day. Sugar occurs naturally in
various foods, but added sugar, sometimes refered to as “refined sugar,” is turning up in many places, increasing the average person’s sugar intake as a result. The World Health Organization’s official nutrition advisors state that only 5 percent of one’s daily calorie intake should consist of sugars. This equates to approximately 30 grams per day. Children should have less — no more than 19 to 24 grams per day, depending on their ages. However, each day people are consuming more and more. For those who think avoiding a slice of cake or skipping soft drinks is enough, consider these somewhat hidden sources of sugar, according to the health experts at Prevention. •Barbecue sauce: Grilling time means foods laden with flavorful barbecue sauce. Many barbecue sauces contain up to 13 grams of sugar per two tablespoons. •Fruit-flavored yogurt: Eating yogurt can be a healthy part of a diet, but not when it is full of sugar. One container of fruit yogurt may contain up to 19 grams of sugar. •Granola bars: These convenient snacks can pack a sugary punch. One bar can boast 12
grams of sugar. •Salad dressing: Dousing healthy salads with dressing may increase caloric intake and sugar consumption. French, Russian and Thousand Island dressings, for example, often have high amounts of sugar per serving size — some as many as 9 to 10 grams per serving. •Frozen foods: In addition to high levels of sodium (used as a
preservative), frozen entrees may have as many as 30 to 40 grams of added sugar per serving. •Energy drinks: The pick-meup energy drinks provide is largely fueled by sugar and caffeine. Some of these drinks can have a whopping 83 grams of sugar. Reading product labels is the easiest way to see how much sugar is lurking in foods. While not all sugar is bad, and naturally occurring sugar-based carbohy-
drates can help supply ready energy to active muscles, most sugar is made of empty calories that can pack on the pounds. According to Dr. Pamela Peeke, author of “The Hunger Fix,” refined sugar also can cause cells to age more quickly and lead to excessive inflammation, which increases one’s risk for many diseases. Reducing sugar intake is an important component of a healthy lifestyle.
Nelson Hall Audience Treated To “The Music Of The Night” by Leah Good Special to The Herald
O
n April 8, a surprise visitor entered Nelson Hall. Wearing a black evening gown, she joined Franc D’Ambrosio— formerly the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera”—in a single warm-up song. The ushers for the event listened from the door. Famous for holding the title of “World’s Longest Running Phantom” for over a decade, Franc D’Ambrosio continued his musical adventure with a role in “The Godfather III” and a successful solo career. His bio states that he has the record of receiving a spontaneous standing ovation for
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every single performance. At Nelson Hall, D’Ambrosio performed “The Phantom Unmasked,” a wide variety of Broadway songs. Near the end of the night, the woman in the black evening gown joined him on stage. Raissa Katona Bennett was an associate of D’Ambrosio early in both of their careers. While D’Ambrosio performed in San Francisco, Bennett gained recognition as Christine in “The Phantom of the
Opera” in New York. They never sang together on Broadway, but that only added to the magic on April 8, as they joined forces to bring “The Phantom of the Opera” to life on the Nelson Hall stage. “How are you going to top that?!” one guest exclaimed. Another commented that her friend was thrilled with the show and grateful for being invited. The evening ended with three encores and standing ovations.
Exam May Include Comprehensive Test continued from page 3 spection of the skin and body for any abnormalities, such as the presence of skin cancer. The physician may feel the abdomen to check that internal organs are not distended. Females’ physical examinations may include breast and pelvic exams. Comprehensive testing In addition to the exam at the office, the physical may include an electrocardiogram, or EKG, to check electrical activity of the heart; blood count and cholesterol checks through bloodwork; body mass index testing; X-rays or MRIs and bone-density tests. Physical exams remain an important part of staying healthy. Consult with a doctor for more preventative maintenance tips.
Did You Know
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Healthy Living
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, MAY 25, 2017
Five
Sicklick Answers Frequently Asked Questions About Stroke Prevention which leads to increased diabetes and stroke risk, as well as the increasing number of young smokers—primarily young women— which also increases stroke risk. Time is crucial in treating a stroke. What recent innovations in the industry are helping to ensure stroke patients are treated as soon as possible? •There has been a great focus on public education in recogniz-
M
ay is Stroke Awareness Month and to mark the occasion, Gaylord Hospital Rehabilitation Medical Director Alyse Sicklick, MD, decided to answer some frequently asked questions about stroke prevention: An estimated 80 percent of strokes are preventable. What are the main things people are failing to do that can prevent stroke? •Many stroke risk factors are modifiable, meaning we can do something about those specific factors to decrease our stroke risk. Of greatest importance is treating high blood pressure with effective medications and healthy lifestyles. Other examples include maintaining your cholesterol level at recommended amounts with healthy lifestyle choices and/or medications, and stopping smoking. High cholesterol, which is indicated in large blood vessel disease, as well as cigarette smoking, are both linked to increased stroke risk. There has been a significant spike in stroke in young adults over the past decade. Why do you think this is? •Among top reasons is a delay in seeking treatment for symptoms by younger folks who think their stroke risk is low. Other key issues include the increasing number of obese young adults,
ing the early signs and symptoms of stroke. Early assessment and intervention is vital to proper and early treatment. Other innovations include optimizing the time between patient assessment and radiologic visualization to determine type of stroke. In addition, the expansion of telemedicine programs allow for early patient assessment for those who arrive at remote centers that lack onsite stroke professionals to evaluate and make
recommendations. There has also been an impressive evolution of regional stroke systems of care and development of primary and comprehensive stroke centers, with the goals of optimizing the prevention, assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of stroke survivors. How has stroke rehabilitation evolved in recent years? •Traditionally, stroke rehabili-
tation focused on compensation for residual deficits. In recent years, there has been an additional focus on stroke recovery. With the use or trial of different techniques and/or medicines, including robots and electric stimulation, rehabilitation now incorporates both compensation and recovery. In addition, there has been a focus on the impact on outcomes dependent on where survivors receive their rehabilitation.
Ensure Your Hair Color Lasts Longer Using These Simple Techniques M en and women have been coloring their hair for centuries, experimenting with different materials and chemical combinations to achieve their desired looks. In the mid-1800s, chemists began to work with nonnatural dyes for the textile industry. At least one of the chemicals used in a dye derived from coal tar formed a color when exposed to air. This molecule, called paraphenylenediamine, or PPD, eventually would go on to form the foundation for many permanent hair dyes. Both men and women color their hair, but women tend to be more avid colorists. Many women stick to a strict schedule of color maintenance, returning to the salon every four to six weeks for touch-ups. At an average cost of between $50 and $80 for a single-process permanent color, according to polling by Angie’s List members (foil treatments and balayage highlights can cost more), the price of keeping color looking fresh and vibrant can add up. It’s understandable that women would be interested in prolonging the life of their color to help stretch out their budgets. Explore the different ways to extend the life of hair color and enjoy healthier-looking locks. • Understand the difference
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between products. Hair color can come in different formulations. Semi- and demi-permanent colors deposit color without lightening and will wash out gradually after a certain number of shampoos. Permanent hair colors use a combination of components to open up the hair cuticle so that natural hair color can be lightened and color deposited as well. Someone unsure of a color may want to try a semi-permanent formulation and then look to the permanent equivalent when satisfied so that the color will last longer. • Wash with cooler water. Keep color longer by turning down the thermostat in the shower. Hot water can cause the hair shaft to expand and lead to more dissolution of hair color molecules. Washing and rinsing with cool water can lock in the color longer. • Skip the sulfates. Sulfates are detergents used in shampoos that produce those lush suds many people equate with cleanliness. Sulfates can strip dyes from the hair and lead to premature fading. • Use a color-extending prod-
uct. Color-extending products come in two varieties: those that deposit small amounts of color to help keep the overall shade fresh, and others that don’t add color but help seal the cuticle so that existing color will not fade away. The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tested nine brands, including 24 products, and found most of the products, such as color shampoos, helped dyes last longer than regular shampoos.
• Protect against the sun. Your skin is not the only part of the body that needs to be shielded from the sun. Ultraviolet light can cause premature fading of hair color. Look for a product that defends against UV damage, and wear hats when out in strong sun. • Head back to the salon. Some salons offer free or inexpensive glossing treatments. This 10-minute service can extend the life of your hair color. By following some easy hair care tips, anyone can keep their color lasting longer. Clients should speak with their stylists if they need more direction and advice about hair color.
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Healthy Living
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, MAY 25, 2017
Six
Plan Your Visit To Greater Waterbury Laser Eye Physicians & Surgeons W
elcome to Greater Waterbury Laser Eye Physicians & Surgeons, located in Prospect, Conn. We are a part of Danbury Eye Physicians & Surgeons with additional offices in Danbury, New Milford and Westport. Our physicians and staff provide the highest quality of medical and surgical eye care services available. We specialize in a personalized approach and stateof-the-art care. We are currently accepting new patients, call today for an appointment. Services Provided •Complete Eye Exams •Custom Cataract Surgery •Premium Lens Implants •LASIK/PRK Surgery •Glaucoma Management & Treatment •Retina & Vitreous Surgery/Procedures •Macular Degeneration Treatments •Diabetic Eye Care •Retinal Injections •Same Day Appointments •Emergency Appointments •Consultations •Second Opinions Specialty Services Complete Eye Exams Comprehensive eye and vision examinations administered by our ophthalmologists will not only determine your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but will also check for eye diseases such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and cataracts. Custom Cataract Surgery See clearly again after undergoing a custom cataract surgery
to remove the cloudiness in your eye. This is the most common procedure performed in the U.S. It is a safe procedure that our surgeons perform at Naugatuck Valley Surgical Center in Waterbury. Our doctors will guide you through the process and help you determine which lens is right for you. Premium Lens Implants How do I know which lens to select? A premium implant lens provides you with a full range of vision—near, intermediate and distance. This technology can help you reduce dependence on glasses and contacts. Remember to talk to your physician about all the premium lens options that are available to you. LASIK/PRK Surgery Are you tired of glasses or contact lenses? If so, LASIK may be for you. Schedule a LASIK consultation in our Prospect office to see if you are a candidate. Surgery is performed at our nearby LASIK facility—Precision LASIK in Cheshire. Our surgeons will guide you through the process staying with you from the beginning of the procedure until the end, including the pre-op and post-op examinations. Financing is available through Care Credit and we provide LASIK gift certificates. (Dr. Archna Johar is offering free LASIK consultations in our Prospect office, only. Call (203) 758-5733 to schedule an appointment.) Retina & Macula Center Do you have a vitreous detachment or floaters? Our retinal physicians evaluate and treat a wide variety of retinal diseases,
including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, vascular occlusions, macular holes and puckers, retinal tears and detachments, eye floaters, macular edema, complications of cataract surgery, uveitis, etc. Meet Our Physicians Armand Daccache, MD A retina and vitreous surgeon who evaluates and treats a wide variety of retinal diseases including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, injections, vascular occlusions, macular holes and puckers, retinal tears and detachments, eye floaters, macular edema, laser treatments, complications of cataract surgery, uveitis and more. Dr. Daccache is available to see patients in our Prospect and Danbury offices. Archna Johar, MD A cornea/LASIK surgeon who specializes in diseases of the cornea. Dr. Johar is available in our Prospect and Danbury offices to provide complete eye exams, eye glass prescriptions, routine visits, custom cataract surgery, premium lenses, cornea transplants, glaucoma evaluations and LASIK/PRK surgery. She is also available for consultations, second opinions and can work with your current eye care provider to give you the best care. Additionally, our LASIK facility—Precision Lasik Group—is located in Cheshire and has an Allegretto Wavelight Excimer Laser for laser vision correction. We have the most advanced technology in our premium facility to help you reduce your need for glasses and contacts.
GREATER WATERBURY LASER EYE PHYSICIANS & SURGEONS We provide the highest quality of medical & surgical eye care. Call 203-758-5733 Today
Richard Scartozzi MD, FACS, FICS, CPI A retina and vitreous surgeon who evaluates and treats a wide variety of retinal diseases including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, injections, vascular occlusions, macular holes and puckers, retinal tears and detachments, eye floaters, macular edema, laser treatments, complications of cataract surgery, uveitis and more. Dr. Scartozzi is available to see patients in our Prospect and Danbury offices. Greater Waterbury Laser Eye Physicians & Surgeons is located at 166 Waterbury Road, Suite 201, Prospect, CT. Office hours
are as follows: •Monday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. •Tuesday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. •Wednesday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. •Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. •Friday: 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. •Saturday: CLOSED •Sunday: CLOSED To make an appointment, call (203) 758-5733, or visit www. GWlasereye.com
Exercise Vital To Staving Off Issues continued from page 2
engage in activities involving repetitive movements to determine if their back pain can be traced to these activities. Some common factors contribute to back pain, and addressing these issues may bring about relief. •Strengthen core muscles. Poor muscle tone, especially in the back and abdominal muscles, may result in back pain. Engaging in activities that strengthen the core can help strengthen the area, offering more support to the back. A doctor, physical therapist or fitness instructor may guide you in exercises, such as planks or abdominal crunches, that can strengthen the core. •Get up and move. A sedentary lifestyle can be a major contributor to back pain. Nearly half of Americans who experience back pain are desk workers who spend
the majority of their time sitting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Qi Spine, a clinic that gathered data from 1,300 people who said they deal with spine-related pain, found that half the participants with sedentary jobs had lower back pain. Standing, moving around and taking breaks from the desk can help alleviate pain. •Lose weight. The spine is vulnerable to effects of obesity. Extra weight in the abdomen may pull the pelvis forward and strain the lower back, states the American Obesity Association. Losing weight can reduce that strain on the back, thereby reducing pain. Back pain is a frequent complaint and compels many people to visit their doctors. Exercise, maintaining a healthy weight and strengthening core muscles can go a long way toward keeping the back healthy and pain-free.
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Call to schedule a date and time to visit and see for yourself how you can thrive in our community.
Healthy Living
THE CHESHIRE HERALD, MAY 25, 2017
Seven
Decrease Your Exposure To Blue Light Throughout Course Of The Day
O
ur society has been experiencing a shift from book print to computer screen and from outdoor-based activities to indoor cell phone and video viewing. One of the negative consequences of this trend is the damaging effect on the eye from blue light. Blue light is part of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from the ultravioltet side of 100 nanometers (nm)—one billionth of a meter—to 780 nm, on the red side. The blue light portion is centered between 415 to 455 nm within the high energy light zone. Studies show that when the eye is exposed to protracted blue light, damage occurs at the level of the retina—the back of the eye. Where is blue light found? Blue light is 25 percent of sunlight, about 26 percent of fluorescent lamps and 35 percent of LED light. It is estimated that by the year 2020, 90 percent of all light sources worldwide will be based on solid state and LED light sources. Additional sources of blue light light include cell phones, computer monitors, television screens, and tablets. Adults spend an average of five hours per day online. Children, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation study, which followed 2,000 young people between ages 8 to 18, spend almost as much time on a computer, watching television, using their cell phones, playing video games or listening to music as an adult spends during a full day at work, which is about 7.5 hours a day, seven days a week. That number jumps to 10 hours and 45 minutes a day when taking into account that young people often engage with more than one form of media at a time. Studies show that this excessive exposure to blue light is damaging to the eye. The retina is the back layer of the eye, which receives and converts light images sending them through the optic nerve to the brain. This is how we see. The cells that convert the light energy into these signal images are called rods and cones. The cones give us our day vision and color vision and rods gives us our night vision. These rod and cone cells, called photoreceptors, need to constantly regenerate. The layer of the retina which is necessary for regeneration is called the retinal pigment epithelium. It is this layer can be damaged by blue light. The EUREYE and other studies describe the damage to this retinal layer leading to reduced vision from macular degeneration—the macula is the center of the retina. Macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, affecting one out of every 10 people 65 years of
age and over. It is estimated that 6.5 percent of the U.S. population aged 40 years or more have some type of macular degeneration. The damage of blue light is cumulative throughout our life. Many authorities believe that blue light, as well as UV light absorbed by the lens of the eye, are major factors in the formation of cataracts. Besides the eye damaging effects of blue light, Harvard University experts explain that using computers, tablets or cell phones before bedtime decreases the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain that helps control our wakening and sleep cycles. Melatonin is produced more in the evening, which helps with sleep, and decreases in the morning. Light affects this production. Using computers or cell phones before sleep decreases the melatonin production because of the blue light. This affects sleep. It is advised to turn off these devices at least an hour before bedtime. What about prevention? There is a lot of literature of the benefits of special glasses and specific vitamins in the absorption of blue light. The principle of these studies and recommendations is to block the blue light, as one does for UV light in sunlight. There are two basic strategies. The first is to put on blue light filtering glasses that are manufactured by different companies. We prescribe a lens called Blue Tech that blocks 80 percent of the blue light that comes from computer screens, tablets, fluorescent light and cell phones. This is very important for children whose clear crystalline lenses allow easy passage of blue light that, over a period of years, can lead to retinal damage. The Blue Tech lenses filter high-energy blue and ultra-violet light using ocular lens pigment combined with melanin in the
optical lens itself similar to yellow brown coloration that occurs in the crystalline lens of the aging human eye. The champagne-like tint of these lenses also has the benefit of significantly reducing the glare of oncoming headlights when incorporated into distant glasses. The second strategy is building up the protective pigment of the retina preventing the blue light from getting to the outer retinal layers. This is accomplished by ingesting nutrients that build up the protective pigment. The two main ingredients are called carotenoids—antioxidants lutein and zeazanthin. Lutein is found in green vegetables such as spinach and kale and zeazanthin is found in foods such as egg yolks and corn. It is difficult to eat enough foods to build up the important vitamins. Many studies show the effectiveness of taking supplements to increase blood levels of lutein and zeazanthin. The Gale Study, the POLA study, and the Blue Mountain study all report vari-
ous benefits of lutein and/or zeazanthin in decreasing the risk of macular degeneration while also reducing cataracts. Dr. Stuart Richer’s study showed the visual benefit of taking the supplements: improved night driving, better visual acuity, improvement of shape discrimination and glare recovery. Supplements of lutein and zeazanthin are available in stores. In our office, we use the Eye Promise brand, which has been shown to increase retinal pigment in most eyes. As we are living longer—a baby born today has a life expectancy of 90 years, it is critical to incorporate prevention in our daily lives so that we can be free of degenerative diseases for as long as we can.
Hear Well, Live Better!
Dr. Lawence Kline practices at Vision Associates of Prospect, a five-doctor office in Prospect. Dr. Kline, a diplomate in the American Academy of Optometry, has authored many articles and has served on the teaching faculty of the Yale Department of Ophthalmology, Yale University School of Medicine.
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