Your Eyes and Cell Phone Damage

Many years ago, perhaps in the mid 90s, an attorney I know, and a HAM radio operator, was talking with me about EMF. He pointed out that for a very long time the FCC has had on its licensing exam a question regarding the fact that EMF (radio waves) are a known cause of cataract.

This article looks at the issue again and also points out the importance of keeping the cell phone as far away from you as possible.

This is the same concern in regard to cell phone effect on your thyroid gland and function.

Nutrients 4 Eye Health

Cell phones can damage eyes: Study
Prashant Rupera, TNN, Jun 23, 2010

VADODARA/ANAND: While scientists across the globe are still debating whether usage of cell phones results in heart diseases, a new study carried out by scientists at Charotar University of Science and Technology (CHARUSAT) has revealed that mobile phones also affect eyes.

The scientists, who have studied the impact of electromagnetic waves on human eye, say that usage of mobile can also lead to early cataract in lens apart from affecting retina, cornea and other ocular systems of the eye.

"We are in ocean of electromagnetic signals and hundreds of signals are hitting human body every moment. It is affecting all our body parts, but we are not realising it," says professor Ved Vyas Dwivedi, head of department of ECE at CHARUSAT, who along with dean of the faculty of engineering and technology Y P Kosta and lecturer Dhara Patel carried out the study based on a mathematical model.

"The wavelength of wireless signals (which is about 2 to 2.5 cm) used for mobile phones and other wireless terminals matches with that received by the human eye. The dielectric constant (absorption capacity) of eye tissues is around 70 which is greater than unity (above 50). This means that the eye can absorb electromagnetic energy very quickly," explains Dwivedi.

During the study, scientists computed the specific absorption rate (SAR) and maximum temperature increase in the eye because of electromagnetic radio frequency fields generated by wireless terminals such as a mobile phones. SAR and temperature rise depend on the distance between eye and radio frequency transceiver (the mobile phone) and the angle between the line of sight and shortest normal path.

"The problem is not that the eye absorbs the energy, but that the heat absorbed by the eye does not get transmitted or radiated out of the body," says Dwivedi, adding that prolonged usage of mobile phones can affect retina, sclera, lens, cornea as well as vitreous humour which are parts of the human eye.

These scientists have also recommended that a mobile handset should be kept as far as possible from the eye. "It should not be used more than is necessary. A user should avoid use of mobile in rural areas or a car where the cell phone uses more power and the SAR value can be ten or hundred times higher than the normal," they suggest. This group of scientists is also planning to approach the government in collaboration with a hospital to get license to conduct tests on human to further study mobiles affect on human eye.

prashant.rupera@timesgroup.com
THE TIMES OF INDIA

More for tired eyes

How To Massage Sore, Tired, Red Eyes
January 30, 2010

Massaging sore, tired, red eyes is very easy and very effective. I have excellent vision but I sometimes get sore eyes while using my computer or watching TV or on windy days.

Read and learn more

More about eye health

Vitamin A deficiency

"What our research shows is that many women are simply not getting enough of this vital nutrient because their bodies are not able to convert the beta-carotene."

These researchers are proving that what we have said for years and years is factual.  To be able to realize the full benefits of vitamin A you must beable to convert betaCarotene to A, and a high percentage of folks cannot.

This is particularly important now with the flu cases in process as vitamin A will boost your immunity and protect your lungs.

We have always preferred a betaCarotene and fish oil blend with food extracts high in A and the A components.  

In a presentation at the 2nd Hohenheim Nutrition Conference this month in Stuttgart, Germany, Dr Georg Lietz of England's Newcastle University reported that many women in the UK could be at risk of vitamin A deficiency due to genetic variation.

Vitamin A's fat soluble property means that the vitamin can accumulate in the body. Concerns regarding potential toxicity have led to the suggestion that much of our vitamin A requirement could be met by consuming beta-carotene, which converts to vitamin A when needed.

Dr Lietz and his colleagues examined the gene that encodes an enzyme known as beta-carotene 15,15'-monoxygenase (BCMO1) in 62 female volunteers. The enzyme is responsible for the conversion of beta-carotene into vitamin A, a process that varies in up to 45 percent of healthy individuals. The team found that 47 percent of the women had a genetic variation that reduced their ability to convert beta-carotene.

"Vitamin A is incredibly important – particularly at this time of year when we are all trying to fight off the winter colds and flu," noted Dr Lietz, who is affiliated with Newcastle University's School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development. "It boosts our immune system and reduces the risk of inflammation such as that associated with chest infections. What our research shows is that many women are simply not getting enough of this vital nutrient because their bodies are not able to convert the beta-carotene."

"Worryingly, younger women are at particular risk," Dr Lietz added. "The older generations tend to eat more eggs, milk and liver which are naturally rich in vitamin A whereas the health-conscious youngsters on low-fat diets are relying heavily on the beta-carotene form of the nutrient."

Dr Lietz and his associates' research was described earlier this year in the Federated Association of Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal. The scientists plan to assess whether body composition also affects the ability to convert beta-carotene into vitamin A.

How To Remove Scratches from Your Glasses

No matter how careful you are with your glasses, you are
probably going to deal with a scratch or two over their
lifetime. While some scratches may not bother you, as they
are out of your line of sight, others create problems with
your vision when they are directly where you need to look.
If you are suffering from scratched lenses, you may be able
to remove them with just items you have around your own
home.

Plastic Versus Glass

One variable to consider when looking for a scratch repair
option is whether your glasses are glass or plastic. Many of
today's lenses are made out of metal plastics, such as
polycarbonate, in order to reduce the risk of breaking.
These lenses also weigh far less than traditional glass
lenses. Many of the scratch repair options work only on
plastic lenses, so if you have glass ones you are going to
struggle to repair the scratch.

For instance, many solutions you can buy to repair scratched
glasses are polymer-based solutions. Polymers and plastics
are both made from carbon, so when you bring them together
they bond with one another, and this can effectively fill in
a crack. These do not work well on glass at all. In fact,
the only likely option you will find to repair a glass lens
that has been scratched is to have it professionally
restored, and the price of purchasing a new lens for your
frames is typically more affordable.

The Toothpaste Method

One way to remove scratches from plastic designer lenses is
to use toothpaste and a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Get a
regular toothpaste, not one with whitening and other fancy
aspects to it, and then rub it on the lens in small circles
using the soft cloth. Spend about 10 seconds rubbing the
toothpaste on the scratched lens. Then, use water and a new
soft cloth to remove the toothpaste.

This does not always work the first time. If you still
notice the scratch, repeat the process again. Keep in mind
that glasses that have a coating on them will be harder to
treat in this manner. You will have to use the toothpaste to
rub off all of the coating, so you may wish to bypass this
option on your next pair of glasses, as they also will
likely get scratched.

Using Jewelers Rouge

Jewelers rouge is another product you might be able to use
to remove scratches from your glasses. Choose a low abrasive
jewelers rouge. Then, make a mix using two ounces of ammonia
and two quarts of water. This is more of the mixture than
you will need, but these measurements ensure that you get
the right ratio. Use a polishing cloth to first apply the
jewelers rouge to the scratch in a circular motion. Buff the
glasses for a while until the scratch becomes less visible.
Then, don some protective glasses and rubber gloves, and use
the ammonia mixture to clean the glass using a soft sponge.
When you are done, dry the lens completely using a
lint-free, scratch-free cloth.

Final Considerations

While your designer glasses may have been expensive, part of
this expense goes towards the purchase of the frames and
having the glasses fitted. You may find that simply
replacing the scratched lens is more affordable than you
think.

If you attempt to use any of these methods to repair your
scratched lens, you need to know that they could end up
damaging your lens if you do them improperly, so do so at
your own risk. Often lenses are coated for various reasons,
including glare reduction and scratch protection, and
attempting to fix a scratch will almost always damage this
coating. However, if the cost of replacing your lens is out
of reach, you may wish to try to repair the scratch
yourself, but understand the risk if you do.

LASIK Eye Surgeries - A Few Important Facts

By Vincent Tanita

LASIK eye surgery is a procedure which uses a specialized
laser and treats refractive errors of the eye. After the
surgery, you can expect to have improved vision without the
need for spectacles and contact lenses. This is the
overwhelming reason for most people who think about having
the procedure, because their occupation or way of life is
compromised by wearing glasses. In some occupations, you are
disallowed if you need to wear glasses or contacts.

Some, but not all, can be helped with Lasik surgery.
"Refractive error" occurs when there is an incorrect
alignment of the two elements responsible for correct focus
- the cornea and the lens in the eye. The result for the
patient is blurred vision, either close up or at distances.
Spectacles are prescribed to correct the problem which
allows the person to see normally. Lasik surgery corrects
the refractive error permanently.

Wavefront Lasik treatment, which uses a Wavefront laser, is
the latest and most popular type of Lasik eye surgery. This
system uses calculations based on the eye prescription of
the patient and the thickness and curvature of the cornea.
Each procedure is finely calculated to the individual
patient. It is effective in reducing the side effects
previously common in conventional Lasik surgery, though they
can still occur.

The first question most people ask is about side effects.
Lasik eye surgery has been performed on thousands of
patients over the years, and has proven itself to be
effective, with most patients happy with their results. As
with any surgical procedure, however, there are risks
involved.

Some of these risks can include inaccurate results causing
over or under correction. Resulting effects of the surgery
may not be permanent. Vision problems can be caused like
double vision, halos, sensitivity to light and glare, hazy
vision. A dry eye condition is also possible, which can be
very uncomfortable. There is also the possibility that the
surgery could make the vision worse than before.

Specialist clinics have been established to offer the Lasik
procedure and are staffed by qualified doctors. Prices can
vary greatly between clinics so it is wise to shop around.
Find out what exactly is covered in the price quoted and if
there are any additional costs. You can expect Lasik eye
surgery to cost you between $1,600 and $2,400 per eye.

Research will help you find a doctor to perform your
surgery. Look for an eye clinic or doctor who is experienced
in Lasik procedures and has earned a good reputation. Make
an appointment with more than one clinic or surgeon and ask
all the questions you have and discuss the procedure fully.
A good doctor will have no problem with this strategy.