The Best Advancements In Eye Care Technology
For many years, technology in the area of eye care has stayed pretty much the same. Fortunately, this doesn’t mean that things were not being worked on in the background. There is some new technology in eye care technology that is worth mentioning. These advancements are scientific breakthroughs in the area and are bound to make a huge difference in the overall visual health of our society.
New Technique Changes the Way We Detect Diabetes-Related Eye Issues
There is a new technique that was developed by the University of India this month that is said to revolutionize the way we detect things like the early signs of vision loss due to diabetes. This new technique is expected to impact the way over twenty five million Americans receive their care. Unfortunately, these early warning signs were virtually invisible to the old screening methods. The advancement here is sure to make a positive change for generations to come.
The new technique is designed to target areas of the eye that were previously overlooked. When someone is at risk of suffering from diabetes related eye issues they are likely to experience less circulation in certain areas of the eye. This was not seen in previous tests. However, it is now something that the eye doctor can assess. This new technology was discovered in April 2014.
A Glaucoma Drug That Can Help With Obesity
There is an inexpensive glaucoma drug that, when used with an appropriate weight loss plan, can help women to see clearer and lose weight at the same time. A drug called acetazolamide is commonly used to treat glaucoma. There were two test groups put together by researchers. One of those groups was given a placebo and a weight loss plan while the other group was given acetazolamide and the same weight loss plan. Both of these groups managed to obtain clearer vision, however, the group with the acetazolamide achieved better results. The most impressive part of this is that the group who was taking the acetazolamide was also able to lose more weight with less effort than the other group.
The Bionic Eye
It may sound futuristic and exciting, but the bionic eye is a unique way to help people to see if they are unable to do so. An implant is inserted into the retina. The patient then wears glasses which have a tiny camera built into the lenses. The camera in the lenses transmits electrical pulses to the transmitter which was implanted in the retina. This process is done wirelessly and has the potential to change the way we handle vision loss in the future.
Don’t be fooled as this will not restore “normal” vision to the patient, but it will at least allow them to see where they may not be able to do so beforehand. It will help people to identify objects and perceive colors in the world around them. Researchers are hopeful that this type of technology advancement will be able to help restore vision to people with age related vision loss and other vision loss disorders.
The Link between Eye Structure and Alzheimer’s Disease
There has been some new research released this year that states that there is a connection between the structures of a person’s eye and if they are at risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Eye care professionals are finally armed with a method that will allow them to detect Alzheimer’s before the symptoms before apparent. By using very high quality equipment, researchers were able to witness the deterioration of the eye and the decline of the visual functionality.
Many people do not realize that the eyes have a role to play with other areas of the body. By having your vision checked regularly, you are able to ensure that you do not miss any of the warning signs before it is too late to prevent any serious issues from occurring.
Google Glass
As we are all aware, wearable technology has become the latest craze. Eye care is no exception to this. Google Glass is a tiny wearable computer to display an optical screen that displays an interface similar to that of a smart phone. The device is fitted properly in the frames of glasses and is activated through voice commands or head gestures.
A device such as these would raise a great deal of questions for potential users of the product. The uniqueness of this item is easily seen, however, it is not recommended that you drive while wearing them. These lenses are designed similar to that of a cellular phone. Thus being said, if you shouldn’t be using your phone while doing a certain activity or task then you probably shouldn’t be wearing these unique glasses when doing those things either.
It has been recommended by eye care professionals that the Google Glass lens is used in your dominant eye, however, it is currently only available for the right eye. If you have dry eyes, it is recommended that you only glance up at the digital display instead of look at it for an extended period of time.
Currently these unique devices are only available on special frames without prescriptions in them, however, this is expected to change in the near future with a little help from your local eye care professional.
A New Treatment for Age Related Macular Degeneration
There is a new treatment that will soon become available for patients suffering from age-related macular degeneration that does not require injections. New research focuses on suppressing the blood vessels instead of using eye drops that are loaded with the drug Avastin. This method is expected to slow down and eventually prevent age related macular degeneration all together. Unfortunately, that may not be for quite some time yet as the technique is still in the testing stages.
The Beauty of Our Future
With every year that passes, we will gain more and more technology that can help us to win our health related battles. The type of technology we use is just as important as how we decide to use it. In our not so distant future we have computerized prescription lenses, computerized eyes, advancements in painless eye care and so much more to look forward to. With each year we are getting closer to our goal of eliminating blindness and painful procedures.
It is very important to note that there are many other technology related advancements in the area of eye care and eye health. The items that are listed here are the ones that are the most interesting or the most beneficial to mankind. In order to ensure you always have the best vision possible you should go to your eye care professional appointments when required and follow the advice you are given from them.
Science has truly come a long way over the past five hundred years or so. When you look at the types of procedures there were available back then and compare them to the procedures that are available today there is no comparison. We are living in a technology inclined age where just about everyone uses technology on a daily bases. It is no wonder that the same technology we have grown so fond of is also going to help us lead the future into a generation that does not have to concern themselves with the same issues we have to worry about today.
Sometimes, when our technology leaders team up with our health care professionals, we are able to create something that is truly unique. The future is full of wonderful surprises that we are yet to find. As the above technology advances we face a future without having to worry about going blind, or developing visual related diseases due to the fact that we will be able to detect these things much before they become an issue.
As with any health related issue, the sooner you catch something the less complicated and quicker the issue is resolved. This is true for eye care as well as anything else. The future truly belongs to those who have the will to see what potential lies before them.