Smoking Increases Risk Of Blindness In Old Age

March 9th, 2010 by Administrator No comments »

smoking_largeUS researchers found that even after the age of 80, smoking increased a person’s risk of developing AMD, age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness among Americans aged 65 and over, suggesting it is never too late to give up the habit.

The study was the work of lead author Dr Anne Coleman, professor of ophthalmology at the Jules Stein Eye Institute at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and colleagues, and is published in the January issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology.

AMD causes a darkening and/or blurring of central vision, and prevents you from being able to read, drive and recognize people you know. It is a progressive degeneration of the macula, the centre of the retina, the part of the membrane inside the back of the eye that allows us to see fine details. Advanced AMD with loss of vision affects about 1.75 million Americans: this figure is expected to rise to just under 3 million by 2020.

Smoking is the second most common risk factor for AMD: age is the first. Coleman and colleagues wanted to find out whether age was linked to the effect of smoking on AMD risk. Coleman told the press that age was the strongest predictor for AMD, yet most of the research done on the disease only looked at people aged 75 and under.

“Our population was considerably older than those previously studied,” said Coleman. “This research provides the first accurate snapshot of how smoking affects AMD risk later in life,” she added.

For the study, Coleman and her team compared the retinal photographs of nearly 2,000 women taken at age 78 and 83, looked for signs of AMD and then did logistical regression statistical tests to find out whether smoking affected the women’s risk of developing the disease. The women were already taking part in a study called the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures, where 45 degree stereoscopic fundus retinal photographs were part of the observations taken at clinic follow ups in year 10 and 15 of the study.

They found that: Overall, the smokers had 11 per cent higher rates of AMD than the non-smokers of the same age. But among the over 80s, the smokers were 5.5 times more likely to develop AMD than the non-smokers.

The authors concluded that: “The magnitude of the greater-than-additive effect of smoking on the age-adjusted risk of AMD reinforces recommendations to quit smoking even for older individuals.” “The take-home message is that it’s never too late to quit smoking,” said Coleman. “We found that even older people’s eyes will benefit from kicking the habit,” she added.

Speculating on the underlying biological reasons for this link, the authors said there is a theory that smoking increases AMD risk by reducing levels of antioxidants in the blood, changing the blood flow to the eyes and reducing the amount of pigmentation in the retina.

Dr Paul Sieving, director of the National Eye Institute, which funded the research with the National Institute on Aging, said this study gives: “Yet another compelling reason to stop smoking and suggests that it is never too late to quit.”

American Journal of Ophthalmology

ajo.com

Celebrity Sighting + Robert Downey Jr. in Oliver Peoples

March 8th, 2010 by Administrator No comments »

rdowney1Robert Downey Jr. brought a little shade of blue while attending the 2010 Oscars with his wife Susan Downey held at the Kodak Theatre on March 7th in Hollywood.

The 44-year-old Iron Man actor, wearing Oliver Peoples Sheldrake with custom blue lenses, was presenting at the award ceremony.

Robert has been nominated twice for the Oscars. Once for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in Chaplin and another nomination for his work in Tropic Thunder.

   

Sheldrake
Inspired by Andy Warhol, this optical frame is hand-sculpted in generous acetate and also plays well as a sunglass. The bridge is crafted with a unique keyhole shape and the frame front is detailed with small silver plaques. The visible core-wire within the temple is embossed with Oliver Peoples logo detailing and the Oliver Peoples plaque is embossed at the temple end. Colors available include sophisticated shades, such as Black, Crystal and Storm, as well as Limited Edition shades: Matte Goldwood and RBR.

rdowney2

oliverpeoples.com

Is It Time To Update Your Hand Tools?

March 8th, 2010 by Administrator 1 comment »

Just as frame designs have evolved, so have tool designs. In fact, there are some tasks you just cannot perform well without the correct modern tool. While they don’t have the glam factor of fashion frames, or the high-tech “wow” of the newest lenses and coatings, these hard workers make dispensing and fabrication life a lot easier. Here’s a look at some you should know about.

newtools1THE ONE-STOP SHOP
Repairing or adjusting frames without breakage or marring can be a breeze if you have the correct tools. Pliers should be task-specific, and when applicable, have Delrin or nylon facings to avoid frame damage. Trying to do everything with a basic snipe nose pliers just doesn’t work with today’s frame materials and designs. Several manufacturers have put together kits of pre-selected pliers that perform most of the bending and adjusting chores you encounter.

The Ergo Pliers Kit from Vigor, A Division of Grobet USA includes seven dispensing pliers for tasks as diverse as angling endpieces, adjusting nosepads, bracing compression mounting bushings, and more. There is even a midget lens aligner for turning the smallest of lenses. The handles of all these pliers are cushioned for comfort, and the leatherette case keeps them all neat and tidy.

Amcon offers a 14-piece kit that includes 12 commonly used hand tools, a PD ruler, and a carry case. There are cutting pliers, a lens aligner, nylon jaw gripping pliers, chain/snipe pliers, a wide-mouth caliper, files, and screwdrivers. This would be a great kit for a traveling optician. Cushioned handles seal the deal.

newtools2Hilco’s Deluxe Dispensing kit features the company’s Ergo Pro comfort handles. The kit includes an assortment of adjusting pliers, files, a lens aligner, screwdrivers, nosepad pliers, cutting plier, a lens clock, and a wide-mouth caliper. It’s neat, portable, and has almost everything necessary to outfit a basic dispensing lab.

Western Optical Supply also has some useful tools kits while Lab-Tech, Inc. has an inexpensive tool case that holds six to seven tools, making it ideal for the dispenser on the go.

UNDER PRESSURE
A good example of tool evolution is the wide array of hand tools designed to handle rimless compression mountings. Any attempt to remove or replace compression fittings without a specialized plier is a recipe for disaster. Hilco offers its ErgoPro Rimless Pliers Kit with eight tools critical for assembling and adjusting rimless mountings. Fabricate, remove, or adjust—the tool is in the kit!

Western has the Maestro, a rimless compression/bracing plier. It has opposing Delrin jaws that avoid frame or lens damage, and one jaw pivots to accommodate the lens curve. It even opens up extra wide for handling thicker lens edges.

Vigor’s Rimless Bushing Pressing Pliers control the pressure evenly when installing compression mountings. They also have nylon jaws so the tool won’t mar the frame and to avoid lens damage. Lab-Tech offers the Compression Pressing Pliers, a similar set of pliers.

newtools3THE TALE OF THE BROKEN SCREW
Think of those pesky situations when you spend way too much time doing something easy, like replacing a screw. What could be simpler? You know the optical gremlins are just waiting to destroy the lenses or frame you’re working on.

For example, the screw is broken off in the hinge barrel. You have several options, starting with the most basic—a slotting file. This tool is offered by almost all tool manufacturers. Simple, plain, and easy to use, the file only requires that there is enough of the screw left to file a slot in the top of it. Once done, you’ll be able to place the blade of a screwdriver into it and back out the screw normally.

Suppose you don’t have enough of the screw above the surface of the hinge barrels for the slotting file? Now is the time to call in the screw extractors. These burred blades look mean, and are designed to bite into the broken end of a screw so it can be turned until it’s backed out. These little puppies are very handy.

newtools4Lab-Tech has a Screw Extractor Set that includes three wrenches that hold small (x1.25mm), medium (1.50mm), and large size (2.0mm) extractor blades. The swivel-head design of these wrenches makes them as simple as a screwdriver to operate—simply twist the barrel of the tool while applying pressure to the top of the broken screw to extract it.

Optisource International can fix you up with its Screw Extractor Plier, a beefed-up version of the basic extractor that looks like a plier. Just squeeze the extractor end onto the broken screw and twist to get it moving. You can get more power with a plier grip, and the screws really do come out easily. The coated handles provide a good hand hold, and there’s a lifetime warranty on the tool.

Amcon’s Screw and Rivet Tool can do several jobs. It removes broken screws with a quick punch through a well-supported stake and will also flare or peen screws. The tool includes two interchangeable points and two base posts. The points and posts are constructed of high carbon steel for long life and effective use.

THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Tired of spending huge amounts of time trying to determine which screw is needed for a frame that’s missing one? Hilco has the solution with its Fast-Find Screw & Hole Gauge Set. You can determine the diameter and length of screws (and holes) in seconds. No more time-wasting trial and error or rummaging through your screw supply. When you find the right size, the Starter Screw Holding Tool from Hilco will grasp it securely, allowing you to get it started in the hole.

Go ahead…take a look around your office and see what new tools you might need. If you trade in some of those old ones for more modern versions, you’ll find your optical life a lot easier and more enjoyable.

Sharon Leonard, LDO, ABOC-AC, FCLSA

totallyoptical.com