Improving eye health: See how Science Care body donors help

With a disproportionately high percentage of everything we observe throughout our daily lives being perceived visually, it can be argued that vision ranks as the most important of the five senses.

As we age, various factors can contribute to vision loss, and the onset of low vision or blindness can be gradual over time or acute in nature.

The partial or full loss of vision can have devastating consequences, as vision loss can decrease our enjoyment and quality of life and hinder our ability to function independently. 

The factors contributing to vision loss are many, with the most prevalent being the onset of ocular diseases such as:

• diabetic retinopathy
• macular degeneration
• cataract development
• glaucoma

As is the case with many medical conditions that are not brought on by acute trauma, afflictions of the eye tend to be relatively preventable through the exercise of healthy lifestyle choices. Such choices include:

• Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight to prevent the onset of cardiovascular disease
• Eating healthy foods which are rich in vitamins and minerals necessary to support eye health
• Never using — or at least curtailing — tobacco products
• Limiting the consumption of alcohol
• Wearing sunglasses to prevent prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) lights

With the sense of vision being crucial to maintaining a high quality of life, scheduling regular eye exams (regardless of your age) is imperative in preventing the onset or progression of eye disease.

Medical professionals can detect even the most miniscule changes in vision or ocular health through routine comprehensive examinations. Where changes are detected over time, suggestions can be made to help slow the onset or progression of disease.

Various symptoms associated with the onset of ocular disease can include:

• Chronic headaches 
• Chronic pain and discomfort of the eyes
• Blurred, fuzzy, distorted, or reduced vision
• The appearance of ‘halos or different colored rings around bright sources of light
• Sensitivity to light
• Dry eyes or excessive tearing

Medical researchers are hard at work developing ways in which the loss of vision can be prevented, slowed, and in some instances, ways in which the sense of vision can be restored.

Members of our Donor Community continually play a pivotal role in scientific advancements intended to improve eye health. 

Science Care donors have contributed to numerous recent projects aimed at enhancing quality of life through advancing the means by which ocular health is maintained or improved. Such projects include:

• The development of revolutionary techniques intended to improve the functionality of the ophthalmic artery located at the internal carotid artery bifurcation
• Discovery of new medicinal treatments intended to slow the progression of macular degeneration and glaucoma
• Providing ocular surgeons the skills and training necessary to remove cataract growth effectively and efficiently
• Validation of various cardiovascular devices intended to increase and correct blood flow, which thereby increases the volume of oxygen supplied to various organs, including the eyes. (Ample availability of oxygen to the eyes is vital to maintaining one’s sense of vision.) 

It is plain to see the positive impact that Science Care donors have on ocular health. As always, we extend our most profound, sincere thanks and appreciation to all who make the selfless gift of donation to advance medical science and improve the health and quality of life for each of us.