Pfizerpro.ie - Eye Health Booklet for Download

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YOUR
EYES
MARCH 2017
DID YOU
KNOW?
Over 7,000
new cases of
Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
are diagnosed in Ireland each year
often at a stage when damage has
already been caused to vision 1
In Ireland,
about 1,000 people
have chronic open-angle
glaucoma 2
Reference: 1. http://www.amd.ie/ 2. http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/G/Glaucoma/
Supported by
Reference accessed February 2017

This month we are setting our sights on eye health, in particular
age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.
AMD is the leading cause of sight loss for those aged over 50 in
Ireland. 1 Thankfully, there are lifestyle changes your patients can
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YOUR
EYES
make that will help strengthen and protect their eyes. Some changes are simple, like
wearing sunglasses, whereas others, like smoking cessation, are more challenging.
However, encouraging your patients to make these changes now could help protect
their eyesight for the future.
To coincide with World Glaucoma Week, taking place during
March 12-18, we’ve also included a checklist of risk factors for
glaucoma below. With 85-90 new cases of open-angle glaucoma
occurring each year in Ireland 2 , it’s important that your patients
know their risks and get tested frequently.
Eating for
your eyes 3
Vitamins A, C and E found in oranges,
tomatoes and green leafy vegetables are all
thought to maintain healthy cells and tissue
in the eye. Another antioxidant, lutein, has
recently gained attention and is thought
to play an important role in absorbing
damaging blue wavelengths of light. It acts
as a natural sunblock for the macula.
The human body cannot make lutein itself
so it must be eaten. Studies suggest that
consuming at least 10mg of lutein per day
has the most beneficial effects on macular
pigment levels. Studies suggest that people
with lower levels of macular pigment may be
more likely to develop AMD.
Lutein in
vegetables
milligrams (mg)/
100g (fresh) 3
KALE................ 11.4 mg
RED PEPPER...... 8.5 mg
SPINACH........... 7.9 mg
LETTUCE.......... 4.7 mg
LEEK................. 3.6 mg
BROCCOLI.......... 3.3 mg
PEAS................. 1.7 mg
References: 1. http://www.amd.ie/ 2. http://www.hse.ie/eng/health/az/G/Glaucoma/
3. https://www.macularsociety.org/sites/default/files/downloads/Macular%20Society%20Nutrition%20and%20Eye%20Health%20March%202016.pdf
References accessed February 2017

PROTECT YOUR SIGHT
FROM UV LIGHT! 1
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YOUR
EYES
We all know the damaging effects of ultra-violet (UV) light to
our skin, but many people don’t realise the damage it causes
to our eyes. It’s important that your patients protect their eyes
from UV light all year round, not just during the summer:
Wear sunglasses. When
choosing sunglasses
look out for the European
CE mark to ensure the
lens quality is good.
Lenses with insufficient
UV protection are more
harmful than not wearing
sunglasses at all!
Wear broad
brimmed
hats or caps
to protect your
eyes
If you wear
prescription
glasses, add a
clear UV filter to
your lenses
UIT
SMOKING &
SEE the benefits 2
DID YOU
KNOW?
80 %
of eye damage from
Around
UV and blue light occurs
before the age of 18 1
Smoking is the biggest risk factor for AMD:
• Exposure of delicate retinal cells to the oxidants in
cigarette smoke fast-forwards the ageing process.
• Smoking causes blood vessels to narrow in the eye,
increasing overall blood pressure.
• Some research suggests that smokers have
lower levels of macular pigments lutein
and zeaxanthin, which are thought
to protect the macula from
the damaging effects
of sunlight
DID YOU
KNOW?
References: 1. https://www.macularsociety.org/sun-protection
2. https://www.macularsociety.org/smoking
3. http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaophthalmology/fullarticle/419696
References accessed February 2017
Current smokers
are up to 4 times more likely
to have AMD than people who
have never smoked 3

GLAUCOMA
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic
nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. Unfortunately
there is no cure, however, with early detection and treatment,
you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss.
It’s important to encourage your patients to get a
comprehensive dilated eye exam once every two years! 1
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Anyone can develop glaucoma, but patients who fall into
the following risk categories are more likely than others to
develop the disease:
AGE
you are 6 times more likely to get
glaucoma if you are over 60 years old 2
RACE
those of African and Hispanic descent are
at an increased risk of glaucoma 2
CHECKLIST
FAMILY HISTORY
of glaucoma 2
MEDICAL CONDITIONS
studies suggest that diabetes, high blood
pressure and heart disease may increase risk 3
INJURY TO THE EYE
can result in increased eye pressure 3
SEVERE NEAR-SIGHTEDNESS 2
HYPERTENSION 2
CENTRAL CORNEAL THICKNESS