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Anti Aging Oral Boards > Ophthalmology > Flashcards

Ophthalmology Flashcards

(75 cards)

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1
Q

What are the risk factors for developing cataracts?

A 
UV radiation
Diabetes
Topical or systemic steroids
Smoking 
Poor nutrition
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2
Q

What is glycation?

A

The binding of glucose to proteins which results in free radical production

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3
Q

Diabetes increases what enzyme that eventually leads to the production of cataracts?

A

Aldose reductase

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4
Q

What is aldose reductase?

A

It is an enzyme that catalyze one of the steps in the polyol (a sugar alcohol) pathway that is responsible for the formation of fructose from glucose

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5
Q

How does diabetes lead to cataracts?

A

Aldose reductase levels increase with an increase in glucose in tissues that are not insulin sensitive, including the lens, peripheral nerves and glomeruli. Aldose reductase reduces glucose to its alcohol. The lens is relatively impermeable to sugar alcohols. The lens imbibes water, causing an osmotic imbalance. Eventually, increased sodium and decrease potassium levels and decreased final levels lead to cataract formation.

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6
Q

What flavonoid can slow the progression of diabetes-related cataracts?

A

Quercetin. It can inhibit aldos reductase

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7
Q

Cataract symptoms

A

Altered color vision
Fells like you are looking through a piece of clouded glass
Increased sensitivity to bright lights
Increased blurred vision
Need brighter illumination (trouble seeing in the dark)
Diplopia when looking out of one eye
Vision that is brighter in one eye than the other

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8
Q

Nutrients that are protective against cataracts

A 
Carnosine
Glutathione
Taurine
Cysteine
Vitamins A, C & E (antioxidants)
Vitamin B2
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9
Q

Carnosine is formed by the combination of what 2 amino acids?

A

Beta alanine

Histidine

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10
Q

How does carnosine protect against cataract formation?

A

It is an antioxidant
It binds metal ions that cause tissue damage
It blocks the aging effects of glycation by competing with proteins for the binding sites they would occupy on sugar molecules

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11
Q

How does carnosine protect against dementia?

A

It inhibits beta amyloid toxicity

It chelates copper and zinc

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12
Q

What is the oral dose of carnosine?

A

1000-2000 mg per day

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13
Q

Use caution of supplementing carnosine in what medical conditions?

A

Liver or kidney disease

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14
Q

Carnosine used as eye drops has what effect on DNA?

A

It prevents DNA strand breaks induced by UV radiation

It enhances DNA repair

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15
Q

Treatment for dry eyes

A

Eye drops

EPA and DHA

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16
Q

Diseases that carnosine is used to treat

A 
Alzheimer's
Aging
Atherosclerosis
Brain injury
Cataracts
Diabetes
HTN
Stroke
Wound healing
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17
Q

What AAs is glutathione made of?

A

Glycine
Glutamic acid
Cysteine

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18
Q

How does glutathione protect against cataracts?

A

It functions to protect the structural proteins and enzymes needed for the maintenance of lens flexibility and clarity against free radical production

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19
Q

Loss of glutathione in the eye leads to what?

A

Glycation and thus cataracts

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20
Q

At what age does glutathione production in the body start to decrease?

A

40

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21
Q

Why can’t glutathione be taken by mouth?

A

Digestive enzymes break it down. It can be take as NAC

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22
Q

What are the nutrients that can increase glutathione?

A 
Vitamin C
ALA
Glutamine
Methionine
SAMe
Whey protein
Vitamin E
Milk thistle
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23
Q

What can decrease glutathione

A

Cigarette smoking
Processed meats containing nitrites or nitrates
Excessive EtOH
Acetaminophen

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24
Q

Food sources of glutathione

A 
Asparagus
Avocado
Walnuts
Fish
Meat
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25
What is the typical dose range for NAC?
500 - 3000 mg per day
26
Why should NAC be given with vitamin C?
To prevent kidney stone formation
27
If taking NAC for a long duration, what should be supplemented
Zinc and copper. NAC can bind them
28
How does glutathione affect the immune system?
It stimulates IL-1 and IL-2 production
29
What vitamins does glutathione help to recycle?
Vitamins C and E
30
How can glutathione help with weight loss?
It decreases sugar cravings
31
What does glutathione do in the liver?
It helps with detoxification of chemicals and heavy metals
32
How does glutathione help with cancer?
It is involved with DNA synthesis and repair
33
High concentrations of what amino acid are needed by the eye to maintain optimal function and structure?
Taurine
34
Taurine needs what to help it function properly?
Zinc
35
Taurine helps protect the lens of the eye from what?
Free radical damage
36
Taurine is made of what?
Methionine and cysteine
37
What can deplete the body of taurine?
Stress
38
What are the cardiac effects of taurine?
``` Lowers blood pressure Strengthens cardiac muscle Stabilizes heart rhythm Prevents blood clots Is a natural diuretic ```
39
What are the metabolic effects of taurine?
Increases insulin receptor activity | Improves fat metabolism in the liver
40
What organs systems benefit from taurine?
Lung and kidney | Also the gallbladder (needed for the formation of bile acids)
41
How does taurine function as an inhibitory neurotransmitter?
It stabilizes membranes by modulating calcium movement
42
What are natural sources of taurine?
``` Brewer's yeast Dairy Eggs Fish Meat Other seafood ```
43
What is a typical dose for taurine?
1 to 4 grams per day. The dose requirement increases when you are ill
44
You may have a block in the pathway that produces taurine if what lab value is elevated?
Homocysteine
45
Use caution in taking taurine if you have what medical condition?
Renal disease. AAs are cleared through the kidney
46
How does vitamin C protect the eye?
It protects against UV radiation and thus reduces cataracts
47
How does riboflavin (B2) protect the lens and thus prevent cataracts?
It removes oxidized glutathione from the lens
48
How is vitamin A beneficial for the eye?
It is important for retinal function. Retinal combines with ops in to form rhodopsin which is necessary for both low-light and color vision. It also protects against cataracts.
49
What do studies about cataracts and vitamin E show?
That supplementing with vitamin E with vitamin C will slow the progression of cataracts by 60% over 10 years
50
What is the leading cause of blindness after age 55?
Macular degeneration
51
What causes macular degeneration?
Unknown, but the theory is oxidative damage and poor circulation. It does run in families.
52
Macular degeneration affects more people than what 2 ophthalmologist diseases combined?
Cataracts and glaucoma
53
What is the epidemiology of macular degeneration in regards to sex and race?
Equal in men and women. More common in whites compared to blacks
54
What are the 2 types of macular degeneration?
Dry (85-90%) and wet. It can affect both eyes simultaneously.
55
What are the symptoms of macular degeneration?
Normally straight objects will appear bent or wavy A dark or blurry spot will appear in the center of your vision When you cover up one eye, whatever you are looking at changes size or color
56
What are the risk factors for macular degeneration?
``` Age > 55 Hazel/blue/green eyes Smoking Frequent sunlight exposure without UV blockers Postmenopausal women ```
57
Studies show that eating dark leafy vegetables is associated with what percent decreased risk for macular degeneration?
43%
58
What are the 2 carotenoids in the yellow layer of nerves that links the retina to the optic nerve?
Lutein | Zeaxanthin
59
What vegetables have large amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin?
``` Spinach Mustard greens Kale Broccoli Parsley Celery Green peas Brussels sprouts Pumpkin Squash Carrots Yams Corn Green beans (Also in eggs) ```
60
Taking extra vitamin C helps with what form of macular degeneration?
Dry macular degeneration. It helps prevent broken blood vessels and new blood vessel growth over the macula
61
What are bioflavonoids?
A group of compounds that are found primarily in fruit
62
What fruit are bioflavonoids found in?
``` Berries Lemons Grapefruit Grapes Black currants Cherries Plums Apricots ```
63
How are bioflavonoids beneficial for the skin?
They assist in maintaining collagen which strengthened connective tissue
64
What interaction do bioflavonoids have with vitamin C?
They enhance the absorption of vitamin C
65
What supplements are bioflavonoids found in?
``` Quercetin Ginkgo biloba Bilberry extract Grape seed extract Cranberry extract ```
66
How is bilberry beneficial for vision
It specifically goes to the eyes and improves night vision
67
What are the 4 types of glaucoma
Simple or open angle Narrow or closed angle Low pressure (circulatory) Toxic
68
What causes open angle glaucoma
The fluid drain is open but partially blocked.
69
What are the risk factors for simple/open angle glaucoma?
``` Arteriosclerosis HTN DM Smoking EtOH abuse Black History of severe anemia or shock ```
70
What are the causes of narrow angle glaucoma?
Steroids (depletes vitamin C and increases intraocular pressure) Allergies (antihistamines can cause the pupil to dilate) Genetics Age Female Nearsightedness Asian, hispanic, black
71
What causes Low pressure glaucoma (circulatory)?
Poor circulation to the eyes. Optic nerve cells die due to lack of nutrients
72
What are the etiologies of low pressure glaucoma?
Cardiac disease Contriction of blood vessels Elevated cholesterol Imbalance of calcium and magnesium
73
What causes toxic glaucoma?
Cigarette smoke MSG Aspartame
74
What is the treatment for glaucoma?
Eye drops to lower the pressure Hyperbaric oxygen Antioxidants
75
Treatment for dry eyes
Drops containing antioxidants and carnosine | EPA and DHA

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