Prescribe Pistachios to Improve Patient Ocular Health

HOT TOPIC

Study Supports SLT as First-Line Therapy for OAG

A recent study looking to estimate the distribution of the true rates of progression of visual field loss showed that selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) slowed glaucoma progression by 29% compared with 25% daily eye drop use.

According to lead researcher Giovanni Montesano, MD, PhD, of Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, “[SLT] should not only be considered an effective and safe alternative to medications as a first-line treatment for primary open-angle glaucoma, but can also offer an advantage in reducing vision loss.” Dr. Montesano’s study identified the additional advantage of SLT over topical eye drops in significantly slowing disease progression. The study was a new analysis of the Laser in Glaucoma and Ocular Hypertension (LiGHT) trial. His team reviewed the visual field outcomes from the LiGHT trial using what they claimed to be a more detailed and sensitive statistical approach.

Dr. Montesano said, “Since the first study, we developed an improved statistical technique to calculate the rate of progression of the mean deviation … This improved methodology, together with the longer follow-up, prompted us to test again the previously observed differences between the SLT-first and the medication-first arms of the LiGHT trial.” The researchers’ groundbreaking results show a 29% decrease in the rate of mean deviation of progression in the better eye of the patients treated with SLT during the first 6 years of follow-up care.

My Two Cents

Here’s yet another piece of literature that emphasizes the efficacy of SLT compared with pharmaceutical options that most glaucoma patients are on. It’s one I’m going to show all my colleagues at my clinic as soon as possible. Information like this emphasizes the importance of SLT being in the armamentarium of all optometrists nationwide. All glaucoma patients should have access to SLT (as well as MIGS procedures, in my opinion).

OUTSIDE THE LANE

Snack on Pistachios to Improve Eye Health

Researchers at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Tufts University School of Medicine have discovered that daily consumption of pistachios can significantly improve ocular health. Their findings were recently published in The Journal of Nutrition and note that eating just 2 ounces of pistachios each day for 12 weeks led to a notable increase in macular pigment optical density, which studies show is essential for retinal health and reducing the risk of age-related macular degeneration.

The study highlighted that pistachios are the only nut that provides a measurable source of lutein, a powerful antioxidant that helps shield eyes from blue light and age-related damage. Participants who consumed pistachios daily saw a significant rise in macular pigment optical density levels within 6 weeks, and the benefits were sustained throughout the study.

Tammy Scott, PhD, the study's lead author, emphasized that incorporating a handful of pistachios into your diet can be a simple, yet effective way to boost eye health. (Read more here.)

My Two Cents

If you haven’t gathered this so far, I’m really into research and even more into research that shows how natural foods/supplements/etc can improve various aspects of ocular health. This is a new piece of information for me and one that I hadn’t suspected. I wasn’t even aware that pistachios were a source of lutein! Very, very neat! I’ll grab some pistachios during my next grocery trip, and I encourage you to do the same!

CAN YOU RELATE

Over the past month, we have slowly incorporated headset-mounted visual fields into some of our clinic locations. I’ve been extremely excited to see how these work in “the real world” after being confronted with them at every turn at every significant convention I’ve attended recently. You can’t toss a penlight at one of those conferences without hitting a company with its version of a visual field headset.

So far, so good! Our patients have been incredibly impressed with the technology, our staff have found it intuitive and easy to set up, and our providers have found the data reliable and robust. These things do seem to be all they’re cracked up to be!

The next chance you get, I would encourage you to demo a few of them and think about pulling the trigger. It’s not often that the term “game-changer” actually applies, but this is one of those cases.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK

Posterior synechiae in anterior uveitis.

Paul Hammond, OD, FAAO, @kmkoptometrypro

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”

— Vince Lombardi, former American professional football coach