Discovery

As autumn takes on the majestic beauty of its fall colors, school children remind us of the explorer Columbus on his October holiday. We remember how much courage it must have taken for men to set sail from Spain and cross the Atlantic in search for new lands and treasure. As the days became months, the sailors on the three small ships began to believe that they were about to fall off the face of the earth convinced that the world was flat and that monsters were waiting on the other side of the horizon.

In many ways the search for breakthroughs in vision have been just as frightening and just as surprising. It wasn’t that long ago when cataract surgery required patients to be hospitalized for days at a time lying perfectly still while their new lenses gradually settled. When I was a baby suffering from glaucoma, there were no drugs available to ease the crippling headaches I’ll never forget. Diabetic retinopathy and wet macular degeneration had no possibility for control until gifted researchers began to apply stem cells, gene therapy, and nutraceuticals. Much like the exploration of Columbus, most forms of blindness are moving toward remarkable and dynamic breakthroughs.

Research supported by Discovery Eye Foundation is now on the cutting edge of unlimited possibilities that someday may dynamically improve the vision and the lives of patients and their families. Our work can only continue with your support. Please join us as we explore and discover new worlds of vision and hope.

Tom Sullivan
DEF’s Ambassador of Vision
sullivanvision.com

September is Healthy Aging Month

Healthy Aging Month is an annual health observance designed to focus national attention on the positive aspects of growing older. Aging is a process that brings many changes. Vision loss and blindness, however, do not have to be one of them. There are several simple steps you can take to help keep your eyes healthy for the rest of your life.

Eye diseases often have no early symptoms, but can be detected during a comprehensive dilated eye exam. A comprehensive dilated eye exam is different from the basic eye exam or screening you have for glasses or contacts. By dilating the pupils and examining the back of the eyes, your eye care professional can detect eye diseases in their early stages, before vision loss occurs. By performing a comprehensive eye exam, your eye care professional can check for early signs of –

Here are some other tips to help maintain healthy vision and body now and as you age:

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Loading up on fruits and vegetables can help keep your eyes healthy and disease free.

Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk for heart disease and diabetes. Complications from diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, can eventually lead to vision loss.

Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk for age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and other systemic diseases, including cancer. Wear protective eyewear when outdoors. Protecting your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet rays when you are outdoors is important for your eye health. Choose sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of both UV-A and UV-B radiation.

Even if you are not experiencing vision problems, visiting an eye care professional regularly for a comprehensive dilated eye exam is the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of vision loss as you age.

Download “Everyone’s vision can change with age”
A handout with explanation on how vision can change with age.

Children’s Eyes

It’s said that the “eyes are the windows to the soul.” If that is true, looking into the eyes of a child, it’s easy to see the beauty and innocence that all of us wish could be more a part of the world they will live in.

I’ve also heard that there is a wonder found in those eyes – a curiosity that opens the child’s brain and heart to all of life’s joys and potentials.

The thought that those eyes could be threatened through accident or disease is a painful reality that all of us at Discovery are working to prevent through all of our cutting-edge research with your on-going support.

All too often I have been present in an ophthalmologist’s office when a caring doctor is forced to tell a family that there is a major problem with their baby’s vision. Diseases of the retina such as glaucoma, or retinitis pigmentosa, are joined by diseases of the cornea like keratoconus. It’s even worse when a family has to hear the diagnosis is retinoblastoma – or a cancer of the eye. In these personal and painful moments, a family’s entire life is forever changed and their child’s struggle with vision will remain on-going and difficult.

August is “Children’s Eye Safety” month, and I can’t think of anything else more important to protect. The eyes of a child are beautiful, full of innocence and love. So, let’s make sure that they will continue to see the world with beauty and clear vision.

The Discovery Eye Foundation is committed to finding the answers that will preserve the vision of millions of people. Our groundbreaking research needs your help to move forward!

To learn how you can help, click here Ways to Help DEF or click the button below to donate online.

Tom Sullivan
DEF’s Ambassador of Vision
sullivanvision.com

Cancer in the EYE: Unexpected Thought

When you think of cancer, most of us do not think about the eye or vision. Though rare, cancer can start inside or outside of the eye. If cancer starts inside the eyeball it’s called intraocular and if it starts outside the eye (eyelid or in the eye socket) then it’s called extraocular tumor. It can occur in both children and adults. Most major eye centers have specialists who are trained in the diagnosis and treatment of eye cancers.

Here are a few types of cancer in eye:

Eye Cancer in Children: The most common cancer seen in the eye of children is retinoblastoma. This occurs in children at very early age so these are the youngest cancer patients. This cancer starts inside the eye and affects the retinal cells. This is a cancer that presents very quietly, the child has no pain, no complaints and plays happily without any problem until one day parents notice that the pupil of the eye has some abnormal ‘White Glow’ (leukocoria) rather than the usual ‘red-eye’ reflection seen in a photo—that can be the first sign of retinoblastoma. So, it requires prompt evaluation by an ophthalmologist. Retinoblastoma is a curable cancer but if it is not treated on time, it can grow quickly and fill the eyeball. It can lead to loss of vision and life-threatening problems.

At the later stage of this cancer, the only one way to survive is to remove the eyeball (enucleation). Like many of other types of cancer, retinoblastoma has a genetic component so genetic testing needs to be done. The tumor begins with the RB1 gene mutation that stimulates retinal cells to develop into a tumor called a retinoblastoma. The RB1 mutation can be inherited from the parents, but in some cases it is sporadic and not inherited. There are various treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy etc. to cure retinoblastoma cancer. Rarely it can spread beyond the eye.

Eye Cancer in Adults: The development of a tumor in the back of the eye in adults can be from a metastatic cancer from elsewhere in the body or can arise in the eye itself. The most common primary eye cancer is called uveal melanoma and is a cluster of rapidly growing cells underneath the retina, which can lead to vision loss. The tumor can also appear as a dark black spot on the iris. Ideally the uveal melanoma can be treated when the tumor is still only in the eye.However, unfortunately, in approximately 50% of patients the uveal melanoma spreads (metastasis) to other part of the body, making it the most dangerous eye cancer in adults. Depending upon its location the uveal melanoma may not cause early symptoms but the patient may experience blurred vision or large numbers of floaters. The uveal melanoma can be diagnosed only when an ophthalmologist or eye care specialist examines your eye. What is the main cause of uveal melanoma? How it starts, grow and spread? These questions are still unanswered. The risk of this cancer increases in persons having fair skin (white), light eye color and inability to tan. There are certain changes in the genes linked to uveal melanoma. Currently the most common are GNAQ and BAP-1 gene mutations that are associated with greater risk of metastasis, where it spreads to other parts of the body. The standard treatment of this tumor is fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), brachytherapy (radioactive material inside a small capsule placed next to the tumor), radiation therapy and possibly enucleation.

Metastasis to Eye: Finally, the other types of cancers found in the eyes are because of the spreading of a primary cancer (from a distant site such as the breast, lung or liver) to the eye. Sometimes an eye exam can identify a metastatic tumor before the primary tumor is recognized elsewhere in the body. Examples of cancers that spread to the eye are breast cancer in women and lung cancer in men. Less commonly, the prostate, kidney, gastrointestinal and blood cancers (leukemia and lymphomas) can spread to the eye. Treatment depends on the type of cancer involved.

Eye Damage from Chemotherapy: Eye problems can also develop through the side effects of chemotherapy or hormone therapies given for tumors outside the eye. When a person has any type of cancer, they often must undergo treatments with chemotherapeutic drugs. A commonly used cancer drug is called cisplatin. When treated with cisplatin, there can be damage to the retinal pigment epithelial cells in the inner part of the retina. Hemorrhages or bleeding can occur within the retina itself and vision can decrease temporarily. If a person is undergoing cancer treatments, it is a good idea to have their eyes checked, especially if they are having any vision problems. The chemotherapy does not actually cause cancers but only side effects.

Therefore, if you are having any decreased vision, it is always makes sense to have a good eye examination to identify any problems at early stage.

INDEPENDENCE

As America celebrates its 243th birthday, I find myself thinking about what it means to be independent. Because I was born blind, I was told early on that I would quite likely spend my life as a dependent person. I suppose it’s fair to say that I’ve proved I can be independent, and for that, I am very grateful.

I came to learn about the world as a blind person, and so I never thought very much about what I was missing without having the ability to see. In my role as the Ambassador of Vision for the Discovery Eye Foundation, I spend a lot of time talking to people who are losing or have lost their sight later in life. I am amazed to learn how truly dependent they are as they work to rehabilitate their lives after the loss of vision. They tell me that even the smallest tasks in daily life become major obstacles.

A woman recently told me, “there is a constant fear of falling, even in a familiar place like my own house. I am just not sure of where the steps are. I hate to have to ask people to put my clothes together in the right color combinations and learn to cook and be comfortable in my own kitchen. It feels impossible to get anything done.”

The most touching thing I ever heard was when a loving grandfather told me that he was having trouble remembering what his grandchildren’s faces looked like.

Let me hasten to say that many people who lose their vision do make extraordinary adjustments, but for all of them, the road back to independence is difficult, arduous, and sometimes impossible. At the Discovery Eye Foundation, we remain committed to funding the research that will hopefully preserve vision and provide the independence that all of us wish for and deserve.

Tom Sullivan
DEF’s Ambassador of Vision
sullivanvision.com

Kids and Sunglasses: Why it’s important!

Due to widespread awareness about the dangers of ultraviolet (UV) rays, most parents have been very cautious about protecting kids’ skin with sunblock, hats and clothing. However, what is usually overlooked is a good pair of sunglasses.

Children are more susceptible to damage from UV exposure, which can penetrate deep into the eye and can increase the onset of eye problems in the future. It’s really important we protect their vision, especially because kids spend lots of time outside and their eyes haven’t fully developed yet. More importantly, sunglasses may save their skin and eyes later in life by blocking the sun’s powerful UV rays. Children under age 10 are at a high risk for skin and eye damage from UV exposure. The skin on their eyelids and around their eyes is more delicate and vulnerable than adult skin.

UV ray damage builds over time, so the sooner you start protecting your children’s eyes from the sun, the lower their risk will be of ever developing future eye problems.

Here are a few tips to follow to help you find the right sunglasses for your kids:

UV Protection – Sunglasses for children should block 100% of UV radiation as well as between 75 – 90% of visible light. Any sunglasses you buy should have this information provided in the packaging

Durability – Kids run, trip and fall. Their sunglasses should match this active lifestyle. Lenses should be made of a high impact material such as polycarbonate to prevent any breakages or scratches. Frames should be bendable but unbreakable. Make sure the glasses fit snugly, close to the face.

Spring hinges – Hinges that extend beyond 90 degrees and have a spring action to keep the fit of the frame snug will decrease the risk of your child’s sunglasses falling off or getting damaged during sports and other play.

Let them choose – You’re not the one who has to wear the glasses or hear other kids’ comments on them. Children and especially older kids/teens – are likelier to actually wear them if they select them themselves.

Fit & Comfort – Children’s sunglasses should offer good eye coverage and fit comfortably. Allow your child to try on various pairs to find something that is comfortable and fits correctly.

Set an Example – Kids at a young age look up to their parents so set a good example! Ensure you’re wearing your sunglasses every time you go outside if you want your child to do the same.

If your child has prescription sunglasses, be sure they are made with UV blocking clear lenses. You can get them a second pair with tinted polycarbonate lenses, or you can get photochromic lenses that change from light to dark to avoid having two pairs.

Sunglasses do not have to be expensive. Many inexpensive children’s sunglasses provide excellent UV protection because they include polycarbonate lenses which blocks 100 percent of UV.

Beware because some cheap brands of sunglasses for children can include an unacceptable level of lead and usually are not durable or as high-quality as other sunglasses.

Start with an eye exam – because children’s eyes change so rapidly, make sure your child is seeing well. Children who do not need vision correction should have an eye exam at least every two years. Children who need glasses or contact lenses should have an eye exam annually or as recommended by your eye doctor.

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June is Cataract Awareness Month

I remember my father experiencing the removal of cataracts in the early 60’s, and being told by his Ophthalmologist that the recovery time would be weeks rather than days and a positive outcome was not guaranteed. The truth is that surgery of any kind carries with it a certain amount of risk. But now the removal of cataracts has become routine for thousands thanks to amazing technology and gifted eye surgeons. To the doctor, the surgery might be considered routine. But to the patient, when vision is at risk their concerns and real fears are not in any way routine.

A year ago at 96 years young, my friend and actress Betty White was worried about her vision. She told me that she was having a great deal of difficulty reading scripts and that her eyes would tire with the strain of trying to see the pages. Her ophthalmologist determined that the removal of cataracts was necessary and the surgery on the first eye was scheduled for the next Tuesday. “Is it safe? she asked me.” I assured my friend that the removal of cataracts was not something to be afraid of. “It’s routine” I told her. “Please don’t be frightened.” Betty’s surgery was completely successful. In fact, she tells me she can read everything including the smallest print on any label.

At the Discovery Eye Foundation (DEF), we are committed to supporting research that we believe will make the treatment of many forms of vision loss far more predictable and successful. Whether it’s through the breakthroughs in surgery or the development of new drugs or the advancement in genetics or the use of stem-cells the major forms of vision loss are being greatly affected through the power of your contributions and the commitment of the gifted researchers DEF supports.

Please know that the dollars you contribute to DEF will go directly into the hands of the researchers where they can do the most good.

All of us at the Discovery Eye Foundation thank you for your support and look forward to a time when most forms of blindness will no longer limit vision.

Tom Sullivan
DEF’s Ambassador of Vision
sullivanvision.com

Firework Eye Safety Month

FIREWORK & EYE SAFETY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Firework injuries cause over 10,000 visits to the emergency room each year, according to data from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. As families and communities make plans for a star-spangled Fourth of July, the Discovery Eye Foundation is shining a light on fireworks safety month.

Fireworks are dangerous, and the month around July 4^this the most dangerous time. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s most recent annual fireworks injury report (PDF) fireworks caused eight deaths and nearly 13,000 injuries in 2017. Two-thirds of the fireworks injuries treated in emergency rooms happened between mid-June and mid-July.

Fireworks may be advertised like toys around the Fourth of July. You may think you know how to handle them safely. But playing with fireworks can blind you or your loved ones. Leave fireworks to the professionals.

The most recent Consumer Product Safety Commission report found that 14% of fireworks injuries involved eyes. In the most severe cases, fireworks can rupture the globe of the eye, cause chemical and thermal burns, corneal abrasions and retinal detachment — all of which can cause permanent eye damage and vision loss.

Children and young adults are frequent victims. Children age 15 and under accounted for 36% of the total injuries, according to the commission’s report. And half of the injuries requiring an emergency room visit were to people age 20 or younger.

Even sparklers can be dangerous, as they burn at more than 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Sparklers were responsible for 1,200 of the injuries in the latest report, and a sparkler mishap caused one of the fireworks deaths reported in 2017.

Fireworks Safety Tips

The best way to avoid a potentially blinding fireworks injury is by attending a professional, public fireworks show rather than purchasing fireworks for home use.

If you attend or live near a professional fireworks show:

Respect safety barriers, follow all safety instructions and view fireworks from at least 500 feet away.
Do not touch unexploded fireworks; instead, immediately contact local fire or police departments to help.

For those who decide to purchase and use fireworks, follow these safety tips:

Do not allow young children to play with fireworks. Sparklers, a firework often considered by many to be the ideal “safe” device for the young, burn at very high temperatures and should be not be handled by young children. Children may not understand the danger involved with fireworks and may not act appropriately while using the devices or in case of emergency.
Older children should be permitted to use fireworks only under close adult supervision.
Do not allow any running or horseplay with the fireworks.
Set off fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from houses, dry leaves, or grass and other flammable materials.
Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that fail to ignite or explode.
Do not try to relight or handle malfunctioning or “dud” fireworks. Soak them with water and throw them away.
Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
Never light fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
Check instructions for special storage directions.
Observe local laws.
Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework while lighting.
Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.

What to Do for a Fireworks Eye Injury

Fireworks-related eye injuries can combine blunt force trauma, heat burns and chemical exposure. If an eye injury from fireworks occurs, it should be considered a medical emergency.

Do not rub the eye. Rubbing the eye may increase bleeding or make the injury worse.
Do not attempt to rinse out the eye. This can be even more damaging than rubbing.
Do not apply pressure to the eye itself. Apply a clean eye patch, hold or tape the bottom of a foam cup or the bottom of a juice carton over injured eye. Protecting the eye from further contact with any item, including the child’s hand, is the goal.
Do not stop for pain medicine! Over-the-counter pain relievers will not do much to relieve pain. Aspirin (should never be given to children) and ibuprofen can thin the blood, increasing bleeding. Take the child to the emergency room at once – this is more important than stopping for a pain reliever.
Do not apply ointment. Ointment, which may not be sterile, makes the area around the eye slippery and harder for the doctor to examine.

Keep Fireworks Fun

Unexpected injuries not only ruin celebrations, but they can also dramatically change lives. Keep fireworks fun by remembering these tips and being smart about how you use fireworks. Stay safe out there!

Real Firework Eye Injuries

Low Vision

Low vision is the term used to describe significant visual impairment that can’t be corrected fully with glasses, contact lenses, medication or eye surgery. Low vision causes a person to be unable to accomplish some daily tasks due to sight impairments. Low vision occurs when an individual struggles with any of the following common activities:

Reading
Everyday tasks like personal grooming
Viewing photos
Recognizing faces

Millions of Americans experience a normal loss of vision as they get older and the number of individuals who develop vision problems due to health conditions is projected to continue to rise.

There are many things that can cause low vision, including:

Macular degeneration
Cataracts
Diabetes
Glaucoma
Injury to the eye
Birth defects

A few simple approaches can be:

Getting an eye exam
Update your reading glasses
Use bright light for reading

If these do not work for you, ask your eye care professional for help or ask for a referral to a low vision specialist.

Low Vision Technology

Individuals with eye disease related to age, or vision compromised due to injury, may benefit from the usage of low vision devices.

There are two primary categories for low vision devices: Magnifiers for viewing things and objects that are close to you (magnifying lenses or machines), and magnifiers used for viewing objects and images at a distance (telescopic lenses). Many lighted magnifiers for close objects improve readability by increasing illumination. With the advances in technology, many low vision devices are available to provide multiple function (near and distance) magnification and visual aid.

Technology is advancing to meet the growing needs of people with low vision impairment. There are a number of products that can help individuals with low vision. While considering the correct vision enhancer, keep in mind a few objectives:

What is the visual ability of the individual? Low vision aids are created with different options for specific low vision needs.

What tasks will the visual enhancer be used for? Find out what each product is best used for to decide if it will meet the needs of the individual.

Is the device easy to use? The right device should be easy for you to use.

How much does it cost? The cost of low vision aids can vary depending on a number of factors.

Popular products include:

Portable magnifiers and lighted magnifiers- offer magnified reading on the go. Perfect for menus, shopping lists, label reading, and more, portable magnifiers can fit in your pocket, purse, or be worn on the belt for quick, easy use.

Wearable magnifiers – wearable technology is the future for those with low vision who live an active lifestyle. Wearable options make it possible to see and take part in everyday tasks, such as reading and recognizing faces.

Transportable magnification screens– are perfect for close up viewing as well as distance viewing. These great viewers offer great flexibility, from watching TV to using the mirror image feature for self-viewing. There are APPS for smart phones that can be used to magnify reading material.

Desktop devices for reading books, bills or letters – these have large, bright screens. A reading table offers visual aid for reading books, optional computer connectivity and more. This family of portable magnification units offers up to 75x magnification.

Consult a Low Vision Specialist–Consider making an appointment with a trained low vision specialist if you have specialized needs. They are available in larger cities or can be found by contacting The Braille Institute or by an internet search. Talk with your low vision specialist to find out which is right for you and where you can find them.

In addition to low vision devices and good lighting, inexpensive non-optical adaptive aids can assist with routine daily activities. These devices include:

Large-print cookbooks
Large-numbered playing cards, clocks, telephones and watches
Electronic “talking” clocks, kitchen timers, thermometers, blood pressure meters and even pill bottles
Large felt-tip pens and wide-lined paper for writing notes
Color-coded pill boxes
Signature guides help in writing your signature in the correct place

Many of these items can be found at your local drugstore, discount store or bookstore. Your low vision specialist can recommend retail sources for non-optical adaptive aids.

Vision loss can definitely be alarming but learning how to adapt, with the aid of low-vision specialists, can result in continued independence. As low vision aids are tools focused on helping with the physical aspect, it is also important to seek the help of a counselor for psychological counseling if needed or join a support group, that may provide the help you need. Finally, maintaining a social network and asking for help will enrich your life, and help maintain your independence and quality of life.

Resources:
www.enhancedvision.com
www.allaboutvision.com
www.nei.nih.gov
www.brailleinstitute.org
www.visionaware.org
www.aao.org
www.amd.org
www.californiaphones.org

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Children’s Eyes

Kids and Sunglasses: Why it’s important!

Here are a few tips to follow to help you find the right sunglasses for your kids:

Firework Eye Safety Month

FIREWORK & EYE SAFETY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW