CONTACT LENS SOLUTION/SKIN ERUPTIONS
Thimerosal, used as a preservative in contact-lens solutions, may
produce skin eruptions in persons sensitive to it. A 26-year-old
man suffered an eruption of his left palm and right index finger.
It was observed that he placed his lenses in the palm of his left
hand and applied the lens cleaner with his right index finger.
(American Family Physician 109:213, January, 1985) Copyright Phylis Austin
CONTACT LENSES/SORE EYES
Poorly fitted extended-wear contact lenses may induce serious eye
diseases, according to Dr. Michael Lemp of the Georgetown
University Medical Center. He considers the problem a serious
public health hazard. Improperly used extended-wear lenses may
induce serious eye infections and corneal ulcers which may lead to
vision loss. Dr. Lemp says that poorly controlled diabetics,
patients with insufficient tear production, and those who suffer
from recurrent or chronic lid infections should not be given this
type of contact lenses. (Medical World News, April 8, 1985, p. 114) Copyright Phylis Austin
LUPUS/SUNLIGHT
Not all patients with systemic lupus erythematosus are sensitive to
sunlight. Estimates of percentages of those photosensitive run as
high as 58 percent, but the true percentage is not known. (Journal
of Investigative Dermatology 85:179-180,1985) Copyright Phylis Austin
ASPIRIN/JUVENILE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS/REYE'S
SYNDROME
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritics given long-term aspirin therapy had
an incidence of Reye's syndrome 86 times higher than normal,
according to a study based on Reyes syndrome incidence in Michigan
in 1982 and 1983. (Medical World News, October 14, 1985, p. 34) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXTENDED WEAR CONTACT LENSES
Ophthalmologists, seeing an increasing number of extended wear
contact lens problems, are beginning to take a second look at their
safety. The lenses should allow tear solution, which carries oxygen
through to nourish the cornea, but after prolonged periods of use
the lenses become clogged. Oxygen supply to the eye is cut off. The
lenses also become sticky and adhere to the eye, trapping bacteria.
A hot blast of air, as from a oven or hair dryer, may cause a
sudden water loss, cutting off the cornea's oxygen supply. The Food
and Drug Administration is planning studies on the safety of
extended wear contact lenses. Meanwhile, many ophthalmologists are
recommending that extended wear contact lenses be worn for a
maximum of one week before being removed for cleaning, and that
they be left out at least overnight at that time. (Medical Tribune,
January 22, 1986, p. 3, 13) Copyright Phylis Austin
STICKY EYES/CONJUNCTIVITIS/COLOSTRUM
Breast milk, particularly colostrum (the first milk secreted after
delivery) is known to be rich in antiviral substances. A study
carried out in India demonstrates that it may be effective in
preventing or treating sticky eyes and /or conjunctivitis in
newborns. All infants born in the All-India Institute of Medical
Sciences Hospital in November and December of 1977 were placed
in either a study group or a control group. In the study group
mothers were instructed to instill a drop of colostrum into each
eye of their infant three times a day for three days. Three infants
in the study group developed either conjunctivitis or sticky eyes,
while 25 in the control group did. (Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
28(1)35-37, February, 1982) Copyright Phylis Austin
FLUORESCENT LIGHTING/SKIN CANCER
Fluorescent lighting may stimulate skin cancer induced by other
factors, according to a study carried out in Germany. The
researchers conclude that although fluorescent lighting does not
itself cause the cancer it enhances the effect of carcinogens.
(Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology 112:141-143,
1986) Copyright Phylis Austin
VEGETARIAN DIET/HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE/EYE CHANGES
A study carried out in the Republic of China revealed that
individuals on a strict vegetarian diet (no meat, fish, milk, eggs,
and alcohol or tobacco) have less high blood pressure than persons
consuming the typical non-vegetarian diet. Retinal arteriosclerosis
was much less common in the vegetarians (19.8 percent vs. 42.9
percent). Degenerative disease of the retina of the eye was less
common in vegetarians. In those vegetarians who did have
abnormalities of the eyes, the changes were much less profound than
those in non-vegetarians. (Medical Tribune 27(32)3, 33, November,
1986) Copyright Phylis Austin
SUNLIGHT/CATARACTS
Several studies have suggested that excessive sunlight exposure may
induce cataract development. It is known that light wavelengths
between 320 and 400 nm (near UV radiation) are absorbed by the
lens, and may damage it. Some researchers are suggesting that
people who spend long hours in sunlight wear sunglasses which will
filter out the near UV-waves.
Some drugs cause the lenses to be more light sensitive, and may
hasten lens damage and cataract formation. While not proven by
studies, theoretically some artificial light sources such as
fluorescent lights, black light lamps, welding arcs, near UV
lasers, and some UV lamps utilized in medical fields may also be
harmful. (Survey of Ophthalmology 27(5)317-326, 1983) Copyright Phylis Austin
FULL SPECTRUM LIGHT/SICKNESS IN SCHOOL CHILDREN
Researchers replaced ordinary classroom lights with full-spectrum
lights (sold as Vitalite) in three classrooms in a Vermont school.
A survey of illness in children in these three classrooms revealed
that they suffered less illness than students in other rooms in the
school, and less sickness than students in these rooms had the
previous year, with ordinary fluorescent lights.
The teachers liked the full-spectrum light, and considered it more
natural. They did not wish to return to the former type of lighting
at the end of the study period. (The Lancet 2:1205-1026, November
21, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin
EYE INFECTIONS IN PETS/TONSILLITIS IN OWNERS
People who own dogs and suffer from streptococcal infections of the
eyes may acquire the infection and develop tonsillitis.
(Lakartidningen 84:847-8, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin
ULTRAVIOLET A LIGHT/RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Exposure to ultraviolet A (UV-A) light may be helpful in rheumatoid arthritis. Twenty-six
patients were exposed to light for five days a week for three weeks, and reported significant
improvement in fatigue, joint tenderness, joint swelling, morning stiffness, and grip strength.
Sunlight is usually readily available with minimal expense, and much less toxic than many
of the pharmaceutical agents used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The dose used
in this study was insufficient to produce even slight redness of the skin in fair-skinned
patients. (Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology 5:323-328, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin
SUNLIGHT/CHOLESTEROL
Sunlight exposure may help decrease levels of LDL cholesterol.
Studies have demonstrated that levels of the "bad" type of
cholesterol are higher during the winter months than during the
summer. (Longevity 1(10)87, July 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
CATARACTS/LOW FAT DIET
A low calorie diet may help prevent the development of cataracts.
Allan Taylor, Ph.D., Director of the Laboratory for Nutrition and
Cataract Research at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging
at Tufts University in Boston, put a group of mice on a low calorie
diet and compared them to a group on a regular diet. After 14
months nearly all the mice on the regular diet showed some signs of
cataract formation, while about one-third of those on the low
calorie diet showed no indication of cataracts. (Longevity 1(10)12,
July, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
LIGHT THERAPY/SLEEP PROBLEMS/ALZHEIMER'S
Boston researchers are attempting to determine if bright light
therapy could be used to replace sedative hypnotic medications in
elderly people with sleep problems. Sleep problems increase with
age, and many physicians routinely write a prescription for
sleeping medications for those people who come to them for sleep
difficulties. Bright light exposure during the day may help these
people.
Dr. Clifford Singer, at Oregon Health Sciences University in
Portland, is researching the possibility that bright light exposure
in the morning and again at midday may reset the circadian rhythm
in Alzheimer's patients, helping them to sleep through the night,
and decreasing nighttime wandering. Nocturnal wandering is a major
problem in the home care of patients, and is probably the most
common reason requiring that these patients be placed in nursing
homes, as they require around the clock supervision. (Medical
World News 30(19)25, 26, October 9, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
UV-A LIGHT/LUPUS
Ultraviolet A light has been shown to increase the life span of
laboratory animals who have lupus. A study of 18 systemic lupus
erythematosus patients revealed that exposure to UV-A light five
days a week for three weeks resulted in improvement in the clinical
disease. (Arthritis and Rheumatism 33(9 Suppl)S165, September
1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
FLUORESCENT LIGHT/AGORAPHOBIA
Women who suffer from agoraphobia (a fear of open or public places)
developed a faster heart rate and abnormal visual effects when
exposed to fluorescent lighting. The non- agoraphobic women
exposed to fluorescent light reported more miscellaneous symptoms
while under the fluorescent lights. (Psychological Medicine
20(3)591-596, August 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin
SUNLIGHT/SLEEP IN ELDERLY
Institutionalized elderly often have sleep problems, which are
often treated with sleep medications, which often lose their
effectiveness after a few weeks, and expose the patient to
increased risk of falls, mental disturbances, and rebound
insomnia.
A group of twelve elderly, demented men were placed out-of-
doors in a brightly lit area twice a day, from 9-10 a.m. and again
from 2-3 p.m. each day. There were no particular activities
planned during the sun exposure time; patients who wished to sleep
were allowed to do so. Some patients demonstrated improved sleep
patterns the first night after sun exposure was begun. The men in
the study slept more hours at night (and during the day) and their
sleep was much more likely to be uninterrupted.
Earlier studies have demonstrated more sleep disturbances in
blind individuals, suggesting that lack of sunlight may contribute
to disturbed sleep.
Caretakers in the nursing home observed that the sun exposed men
also demonstrated improved appetites, better bowel habits,
increased attention spans and improved affect during the sun
exposure.
Care should be taken that the patient not suffer sunburn during
the exposure. Hats and sunscreen were utilized in this study.
The patients quickly returned to their poor sleep habits when
the sun exposure was discontinued. (Journal of the American
Academy of Physician Assistants 4:321-6, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
READING GLASSES
An Ophthalmic Procedures Assessment report prepared by the American
Academy of Ophthalmology indicates that the non-prescription,
ready-to-wear reading glasses found in drug and department stores
are quite satisfactory, effective, and much less expensive than
prescription glasses. (Ophthalmology 98(9)1469-1470, September
1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
SUNSHINE/ACUTE CLOSED ANGLE GLAUCOMA
A study from Finland reveals that as the hours of sunshine decrease
the rates of acute closed angle glaucoma increase, suggesting that
sun exposure may be protective. (Journal of Epidemiology and
Community Health 45:291-293, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
PINHOLE GLASSES
The widely advertised "eye exercisers" pinhole glasses claim to
improve your vision by exercising the eye muscles. Some even claim
that with the use of these glasses you will be able to discard your
eyeglasses.
The eyeball is not a muscle-- it is liquid filled. While muscles
do control the movement of the eyeball these muscles get adequate
exercise during the course of a day. Vision problems are often
caused by the shape of the eyeball, which cannot be controlled by
any muscle system.
Those who wear the glasses may feel that their vision is improved,
but they can produce the same benefit much more cheaply by just
squinting.
Furthermore, the pinhole glasses may cause the pupils to dilate
and may expose the eyes to more ultraviolet rays. Furthermore,
these glasses restrict peripheral vision and may be dangerous if
worn during such activities as driving. (University of California
at Berkeley Wellness Letter 8(7)2, April 1992) Copyright Phylis Austin
EYEPATCH/EYE HEALING
Physicians routinely apply an eye patch after removing a foreign
body from the eye. A study of 30 patients revealed that those not
patched had less discomfort than those with patches in place.
Furthermore, the patched patients did not show faster healing or
lower complication rates. (The Lancet 337:643, March 16, 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin
SHORT SIGHTEDNESS/EARLY EDUCATION
Children who begin schooling at a young age, and spend a lot of
time reading and writing are at increased risk of developing myopia
(short sightedness). (Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
47:50-53, 1993). This study supports our position that children
should not be started in school at a young age. Boys, who mature
more slowly, should not be put in a classroom until eight or ten
years of age. Copyright Phylis Austin
"DIET"/"LIGHT" BREAD
The so-called "diet" or "light" breads sold in the supermarket are
generally thin-sliced regular bread. Sometimes extra air is added.
The popular conception is that bread is fattening, but it is what
we put on the bread that makes it fattening. Whole grain breads
are filling, and contain fiber needed for a healthful diet.
(University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter 10(7)1, April
1994) Copyright Phylis Austin
LIGHT/CHILDREN
Warren E. Hathaway, a Canadian psychologist, reports that
elementary school children who have high-pressure sodium vapor
lamps as the light source in their classroom have lower attendance
and achievement rates, and develop more slowly than children whose
classrooms have full-spectrum, ultraviolet supplemented lighting.
(Psychology Today 27(2)8, March-April 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin
CONTACT LENSES/KERATITIS
Allowing contact lenses to remain in the eyes overnight is a
frequent cause of ulcerative keratitis (inflammation of the cornea
of the eye) according to a recent study. (Archives of Ophthalmology
112:186-190, February 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALORIC RESTRICTION/CATARACTS
Caloric restriction significantly delayed the onset of cataract
formation in Emory mice, specifically bred for cataract research.
Senile cataract is a common cause of blindness in elderly people.
(FASEB Journal 3:1741-1746, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
CALORIC RESTRICTION/CATARACTS
Caloric restriction significantly delayed the onset of cataract
formation in Emory mice, specifically bred for cataract research.
Senile cataract is a common cause of blindness in elderly people.
(FASEB Journal 3:1741-1746, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin
DEPRESSION/LIGHT/CANCER PATIENTS
Three terminally ill cancer patients had increased energy levels,
improvement in mood, and clearer thought processes during and after
light exposure. The patients were so pleased with the results that
they requested that the light treatments be continued after the
study period. (Journal of Pain and Symptom Management 9:534-536,
1994) Copyright Phylis Austin
HALOGEN LIGHTS
Dr. John Epstein, from the department of dermatology at the University of California
School of Medicine in San Francisco, told the American Academy of Dermatology that
quartz tungsten halogen lamps may cause skin cancer in humans.
Halogen lamps are popular as desk lamps and in track lighting in homes, but produce
ultraviolet A, B, and C radiation. He urged that ultraviolet filters be used for these lights.
(Skin and Allergy News 27(4)21, April 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin
VITAMIN C/GLAUCOMA
Ophthalmologist Herschell Boyd claims that open angle glaucoma can be cured with large
doses of vitamin C. He placed 30 of his patients on as much vitamin C as they could take
without getting diarrhea. The vitamin C was taken three times a day. Every patient had
a reduction in their intraocular pressure.
Dr. Boyd commented that he had never seen a case of glaucoma in any of his patients who
routinely consumed large amounts of vitamin C. (Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine
10(3/4)165-168, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin
OVERWEIGHT/CATARACTS
Overweight individuals are at greater risk of cataract development. Caloric restriction has
been shown to slow the development of cataracts. (Archives of Ophthalmology 113:1131-
1137, September 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin
EXERCISE/GLAUCOMA
Five minutes of walking and jogging reduced intraocular pressure in
glaucoma patients. The reduction was significant, a 56 to 61%
reduction. Exercise apparently has an effect on hormone production
such as ACTH, which may be the cause of glaucoma. (Japanese Journal
of Physiology 45:561-569, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin
DAYTIME SLEEPINESS/NIGHTTIME LIGHTING
Excessive light exposure late in the day may modify the internal
biological rhythms, making people less sleepy in the early evening.
They go to sleep later, making it more difficult to wake up in the
morning. Ordinary artificial room light was sufficient to produce
a shift in body rhythms. (Nature 379:540-542, February 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin