Tag Archive for: glaucoma

Eyedrops for Alzheimer’s?

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A recent study is looking at eyedrops for glaucoma and the potential prevention or possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. I have a vested interest in that because I have glaucoma and use a form of the medication in question for it. The function of the medication is like a localized diuretic; the medication is absorbed into the blood stream and is carried throughout the body.

Researchers discovered that an enzyme inhibitor called a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor affect the formation of amyloid bodies in blood vessels. The medication may work inside the mitochondrion in some way to prevent formation of these proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. When they administered the medication to mice at about eight months of life forward, the mice didn’t demonstrate the cognitive decline found in untreated mice.

While the actual mechanism of action is not specifically understood yet, if it proves effective in clinical trials in humans, a pharmaceutical developed to help with one condition may benefit people in other ways. Not all intended consequences turn out to be negative. I’ll cover another interesting study on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13063

Schedule Your Eye Exam

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Things were looking the tiniest bit fuzzy, so I decided it was time to get my eyeglass prescription checked. I seemed to have blurry spots in my right eye at about the level I would normally read, whether paper or computer. I made the appointment; the results weren’t exactly what I was hoping for. Based on the pressure inside my eye, I had glaucoma. I was stunned. Didn’t see that one coming—no pun intended.

I went through a different and very irritating vision test to see how much vision I’d lost. Turns out none with one . . .

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Green Leafy Veggies and Glaucoma

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Vegetables and fruits led the health news last week. You know my mantra: Eat less. Eat better. Move more. Research reported this past week provides some insight into the benefits of eating better. Let’s start with vegetables.

Researchers analyzed data from the Nurses Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. They were interested in the relationship between dietary nitrates and glaucoma; as the nitrate intake increased, the risk of glaucoma decreased when compared to the lowest intake. This is a longitudinal study and used Food Frequency Questionnaires as the source of the food intake. I’ve ranted about . . .

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