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Heterochromia Causes

January 24th, 2012 No comments
Here in this article you are going to learn what causes heterochromia. As you may have already know heterochromia iridum is an eye condition which results in a difference in eye coloration. This is generally due to a lack of melanine pigment or an excess of it. Melanine pigment is what gives skin, hair and eyes their colour in humans and other animals. There are two kinds of heterochromia complete and partial or otherwise known as sectoral.

Complete heterochromia is very rare in humans and it results in having two completely different coloured eyes for example one blue eye and one brown eye. Complete is more common in animals like dogs and cats and nearly always results in them having one blue eye. Partial or sectoral results in having part of an eye a different colour than the rest. In Partial the outside of the iris is the true colour of the iris. A form of partial or sectoral is central heterochromia where the center ring of the iris is a different colour than the mid peripheral of the iris. Central is more common than complete in humans. Below are some causes off having different coloured eyes..

Congenital heterochromia causes

This is usually inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. An autosomal dominant trait is a gene on one of the non sex chromosones that is always expressed even if there is only one copy of it present. A single copy of the mutation is enough to cause a difference in eye colouration. This is in contrast to a recessive disorder where two copies of the mutation are needed to cause a disease or condition. Other causes of a difference in eye colouration include injury, inflammation, eye drops or tumours. These types of causes are called aquired heterochromia.

Aquired heterochromia causes

Aquired heterochromia means aquiring heterochromia rather than inheriting it. This can be done through injury, inflammation, eye drops or tumours. David bowie appears to have heterochromia however his eye was damaged in a fight and remains dilated which gives the appearance of him having different coloured eyes. Eye drops that have been used by glaucoma patients often leads to them becoming heterochromic. Heterochromia can also be aquired through tumours and a variety of different diseases.

How to Keep Your Eyes In Good Shape

January 9th, 2012 No comments
Good eye sight is something many people take for granted, especially when they are young. Yet we know it’s very difficult to function properly without good eye sight. Considering how delicate and intricate the eyes are, they are remarkably robust, but they still need to be taken care of. So here are a few simple strategies that will help to keep the eyes healthy for as long as possible.

A good diet is essential for healthy eyes; there is plenty of truth in the old saying that carrots are good for your eyes. Bilberries also have qualities that are very beneficial for eyesight; however a good balanced diet is the first building block for healthy eyes.

Make sure your liver and bowels are functioning properly, problems in these areas can be very detrimental to the eyes. Smoking and too much alcohol will lead to damage over time, medical science is marvellous but only so much can be done to repair long term damage.

Some environments can be bad for the eyes, workplaces such as mining and manufacturing have obvious risks but are minimized with safety precautions. Road traffic accounts for much of suburban pollution, country living can also cause problems because of dust in the air.

If you find that your eyes are gritty or dirty on a regular basis, try bathing them every day. Use warm clean water or try the old fashioned remedy using warm milk which is very gentle on the eyes.

If you are suffering from dry eyes try the exercises for ‘dry eyes’ which may help to relieve the discomfort.

Working with computers all day can cause eye strain; optometrists say staring at a screen can cause headaches and blurred vision. Try to get into the habit of glancing away from the screen at regular intervals.

Don’t work through lunch and coffee breaks, during these times the eyes get a proper chance to rest and refocus. If you have time, practise palming during the day, get plenty of sleep and rest since this is crucial for healthy eyes.

Exercise is very important for general well being, spending all your time at a desk or in front of a computer is not a recipe for healthy eyes. Make an effort to get the body moving, pump the oxygen and blood round the body to help eliminate toxins.

When you are healthy, your eyes will appear clear and bright, the eyes are the window of the soul and one of the first things people notice about you.

Drink plenty of water especially if you live or work in a dry environment. Air conditioning and heating can cause the skin to dry out so it’s important to stay hydrated.

Wear sunglasses with a good UV rating, if you work outside use a pair that gives good coverage. Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, visit a site which specialises in safety glasses and you will be surprised with the quality and design on offer.

If you do a lot of close work such as needlework make sure you have good lighting so that you don’t strain the eyes.

If you notice any deterioration in your eyesight get an eye test. Any inflammation or encrustation about the eyes should be checked out immediately to halt any potential damage or disease.

Eye tests are more than just a prescription for eye glasses, these days they are able to determine a lot more not only about the health of the eyes, but your health in general. Often they are able to pick up early signs of disease; awareness means a better chance of treatment or a cure.

In the normal course of events eyes virtually exercise themselves, looking into the distance and then looking at something close means the eyes have to refocus naturally. If you live and work in a close environment it might not always be possible to look at distant vistas so the eye muscles aren’t working to capacity.

Eye exercises are a good way of overcoming this problem and could be helpful in reversing eye strain. If you lead a busy life incorporate these exercises into your routine. I use to do eye exercises while sitting at the bus stop on my way to work, using a high rise building as my focal point.

Your eyesight is far too valuable to be treated casually, with care and exercise they should remain healthy all your life.

Laser Eye Surgery – What to Consider

December 7th, 2011 No comments
For the greater part of laser eye surgery patients, side effects are not adverse. More often than not, the side effects will settle during the first six weeks or so after surgery. Some fade away in just days. A number of patients will feel mild fluctuations in vision every day. This side effect usually disappears in about six months. The side effects of laser surgery often are mild. Three of the most widespread are a lack of freshness of vision, glare, and dry eyes, halos or star bursts.
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Lack of crispness of image is described as ‘loss of contrast sensitivity’ which often will disperse about six months after surgery. The loss of sharpness of the vision is most evident if the patient did wear gas porous contact lenses before the surgery. Dry eye is an easily diagnosed eye situation, frequently treated with stabilizer-free eye drops. Dry eyes come about often in the population over forty years of age, whether laser eye surgery has been done or not. Signs of a dry eye vary from mild intermittent dryness every single day, to all day long blurred vision. In many circumstances, those with a dry eye see more frowns. For more unrelenting cases, a prompt plug can be used to offer relief. Whereas a patient can take care of a dry eye with over the counter eye drops liquid, it is highly recommended that a medical doctor be talked to early for a professional analysis and treatment suggestions.

Glare is experienced by many laser eye surgery patients who result in reduced night vision. This is normally a temporary situation, resolving in about six weeks. Other patients see halos or star burst during the night. There are numerous possible bases of the problems with night vision. One is the usual mild after surgical swelling. Another cause can be the dry eye or unfinished improvement of the nearsightedness or astigmatism. It is unusual, but can occur, that the laser surgery may have some mild abnormalities. There are numerous ways to take care of the night-vision difficulties. Eye drops, more surgery, and toric contact lenses are some of the options to be considered by a medical doctor and patient.

Some nearsighted and intuitive patients will realize an over correction, other times done intentionally, to balance for the swelling happening with the laser eye surgery. Before extra surgery is recommended, doctors like to wait for three to six months to see if the healing progression will take care of it. It is at times noticed, that some surgical patients get regression. Sometimes happening quickly, sometimes in a slow manner, weakening can also be normalized by performing extra surgery. Talking to your medical doctor every time changes do occur in the vision is recommended. In a small fraction of the patients, a condition termed to as diffuse lamellar keratitis happens. This situation is easily discovered by the doctor and is effortlessly treated. There will be no major vision loss if dry eye the situation is treated early. This is just one of the good reasons to strictly follow after the operative appointments planned for you.

A Great Eye Exam Is More Than Just a Test!

December 2nd, 2011 No comments

As an Optometrist I need to know that I am providing a great eye exam for all of my patients. However, most people have no idea what constitutes a great eye exam and so settle for an inferior test without even knowing it! To the average consumer, one eye exam is pretty much the same as another, but as a practitioner I can assure you there is a radical difference between what some practitioners do and a comprehensive eye exam and vision test.

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The Basic Eye Exam

Most eye care professionals can adequately provide a basic eye exam. This involves the measurement of your sight, which we called visual acuity, an assessment of your eye health (retina and eye pressures) as well as the prescription for your glasses. This can be done fairly quickly if necessary, so Optometrists in commercial situations, whose income is directly dependent on the number of eye examinations they perform in a day, tend to stop at this point because they simply do not have the time to go further.

For me as a practitioner, this constitutes the bottom rung on the eye care ladder, and the minimum requirement that any professional can offer.

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Eye Health Checks in the Eye Exam

It should also be pointed out that not all eye health checks are the same either! A 10 second look at each retina with an Ophthalmoscope and a quick puff tonometry is all some eye practitioners provide, but I believe that in order to take care of our eyes and visual systems effectively for many years to come, we need to have more than this!

In our practice we not only examine the retinae, but we also photograph the patient’s retinae and optic disks, sometimes in 3D. We check the front of the eye (lids, cornea, lens and iris), examining angles and structures to make sure that everything is healthy. We can also measure macular pigment density for macular degeneration, as well as eye pressure for glaucoma and visual fields, to make sure vision is not being compromised in any area.

Many people do not realise that most eyes disease remains completely unnoticed by the patient until it is too late, so it is important that we run comprehensive and careful eye exams on every patient be they old or young.

The Missing Element of the Eye Exam

One element of an eye exam often overlooked by patients involves the Optometrist interpreting the figures and measurements taken to offer the best visual strategies and solutions going forward. It is not enough to simply churn out what your instruments have measured, because each person’s visual requirements are unique and need to be thoroughly investigated.

For example, a truck driver may require multifocals to drive and fill out forms, but these will be different than the multifocals required by a teacher who spends most of their day looking at books. A surgeon may need a specific design of multifocal, different to what a housewife and mother needs. A student who is not long or short sighted may require reading lenses to help them sustain their focus and eye coordination for long hours of study. Viagra professional Canada

The oftentimes missing element of the eye exam is the optometrist talking to the patient, discovering what they use their eyes for in their day, and tailoring the exact lenses to suit their purposes. It takes a little more time on the practitioner’s part, but I believe that this practice yields great fruit in many thousands of happy patients getting the very best out of their eyes and vision.

As an Optometrist who cares about his patients and takes pride in a job well done, I need to know that I have offered the very best to my patients. So if you are due for an eye examination don’t compromise your eye health and don’t battle with your eyes as you live each day at work or play. Visit a practitioner who will perform a great eye exam, and get the best from your eyes for years to come!

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Eye Care Services

November 8th, 2011 No comments

There are many services that eye care establishments can do for you. Finding a good one that is passionate about their work and will treat you with care is easy with a little research. There are many different eye care options for your most immediate needs

LASIK surgery is a refractive surgery that people get when they need vision correction. It is the surgery that allows them to reduce or eliminate the burden of wearing contacts or glasses. It is the surgery that reshapes the cornea using lasers.

Phakic IOL implantation implants a lens between the cornea and the iris. This surgery is more geared toward those who are too nearsighted for LASIK to have an effect.
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Refractive surgery is a serious thing so if you are considering it know that it could be a risk for some people. You must undergo extensive testing to show that you are eligible and fit for this surgery. Once it is determined that the surgery is the right choice you can then find a surgeon who is the best for you.

eye careCRT (Corneal Refractive Therapy) is a new invention that helps you see during the day without glasses or contacts. It is a therapeutic lens that you wear to bed. While you sleep the lenses will be working to reshape the surface of your eye. This will eliminate the annoying hassle of dust, allergies and dryness from contacts. These can also slow down nearsightedness from forming in people who have detected a problem progressing.

Glasses, contacts and laser surgery were the only options to change your complications before CRT. LASIK is only available for patients over 18 years old so CRT can be a better choice for younger people.

Digital Retinal Image services include scanning your eye to detect any diseases or just to make sure you are healthy. It can provide your doctor with a map of your retinas so he may have a better idea of what is happening to take care of it as soon as possible. It will give you the chance to discuss your eye and understand what is happening in it as your doctor can explain some of this with you. This can provide you with the comfort of knowing there is a permanent record of your eyes in your medical file. This will allow your doctor see the progression of problems while comparing past photos to new photos and future photos.

If you just need a check-up that is also available at places that service eye needs. They should be available to talk to you about anything and figure out the best plan for you.

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Best Places to Buy Contact Lenses

October 18th, 2011 No comments

If you are a person that wears contact lenses then you should be aware of the fact that there are a few different places that you can go in order to buy the lenses that you need. Most people are unaware of the fact that they do indeed have options. Exploring these different options is important if you want to make sure that you are getting the best price possible on the lenses that you have to have. If you do not explore all of your options regarding where to buy contact lenses there is a good chance that you will be overpaying for something that should be much cheaper.
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buy contact lensesOne of the first places that you can look into buying your contact lenses is through your eye doctor. The nice thing about buying from your doctor is the fact that they will oftentimes give you a few lenses for free. These free samples that they give you should last a couple of weeks and ensure that you do not have to buy contacts as often. It should be noted, however, that buying contact lenses from your eye doctor is probably the most expensive option. The doctors usually charge the highest price of anyone out there because they mark up the merchandise substantially. They do this because they make a commission on each sale. That said, the more they make a sale for the more their commission is. Many eye doctors supplement their income with this commission structure. However, getting the lenses from your doctor is very reliable so there are a lot of buyers out there that prefer it.
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The other best place to buy contact lenses is online. Buying online is the preferred method for many people because the prices are typically significantly cheaper. When shopping for contacts online the best thing to do is comparison shop. This will allow you to get the absolute lowest price possible. Start by accessing a few different websites that sell the contact lenses that you are after. Once you are on the sites the next step is to check the price of the merchandise as well as the shipping and handling costs. Simply put, you can go ahead and make the purchase from the website that has the cheapest prices. The only drawback from ordering online is that the website will contact your doctor to verify your prescription. This will alert your doctor to the fact that you are using another vendor.

Types of Colored Contact Lenses

October 9th, 2011 No comments

There are three types of colored contact lenses based on function. These are corrective lenses – designed to correct vision problems like refraction error, myopia (nearsightedness), hypermetropia ( far sightedness), astigmatism and presbyopea; cosmetic lenses – designed to improve eye appearance; and therapeutic lenses – designed to deliver medicine to the eyes.

Contact lenses are also classified by the length of use. There are one day disposable lenses, which are ideal for those who have eye allergies and those who could easily lose their lenses; most common contact lenses which can be used from 2-4 weeks; contact lenses that can last up to one year; and, finally, contact lenses that are very durable, which can last from 5 to 10 years.

Colored contact lenses are results of trendy fashion that even the color of the eyes is modified to suit the caprices of the owners. Like eyeglasses, they not only correct vision malfunction, but also improve the user’s eyes charm. Some have an average life of 30 to 90 days; but some must be removed before sleeping, while some later models need not so.

Colored lenses can be non-prescriptive or prescriptive lenses. Non-prescriptive lenses have the sole purpose of improving eyes appearance for the fashion conscious; while the prescriptive lenses help correct vision and at the same time improve eye appearance.
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Colored contacts come in three basic tints- namely opaque, visibility and enhancement tints. Opaque are dark colored that change the color of the eyes. Visibility are lightly colored, but help the users see the lenses when inserting or removing them from their eyes. Enhancement have solid- see through tints that intensify the natural color of the eyes.

Colored contacts have some advantages over eye spectacles based on appearance, practical use and efficiency of use. Although, there are some disadvantages also. They move when blinking; thus, it is important that the size of the lenses must fit the user’s eyes. They are also affected by the intensity of light on the pupil. At night, the pupil was enlarged and became smaller during the day.

Some types of colored lenses need to be removed during night time, and need to be cleaned before inserting at daytime. Some models don’t need to be removed and cleaned up to 30 days. These are called Night and Day Colored lenses. They allow more oxygen to enter the lens/eyes that make them safe up to 30 days of continuous use.

But still, the best thing to do when planning to use colored contact lenses, is to consult a medical eye specialist.

Healthy Nutrition May Cure Lazy Eyes

September 22nd, 2011 No comments

The role of nutrition in general health is investigated very well and the majority of scientific studies have figured that the balance of nutrition has a powerful influence on overall eyesight health.

Natural vitamins for the eyes aren’t any exclusion to that opinion. Evidence suggests that food blue light intercepted by the eye.
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Nutrition is usually a main factor in the health of your eyes as well. Good nutrition can enhance vision and reduce degeneration that develops being holistic results of aging. Numerous vitamins for eyes wellness have been identified regarding their possibilities of experiencing a treatment value for your vision.

As an example, a study suggests vitamin C can reduce the incidence of cataracts. Furthermore vitamin C generally seems to decrease stress connected with glaucoma. A number of substances including omega-3 essential fatty acids are defined as to be a foundation block for vision advancement starting in the womb. Deeper studies declare that omega essential fatty acids may well take care of eyesight from some degenerative diseases of the eyes, including macular destruction.

The vitamins for your eye care

Vitamin C present in vegetables and fruits like; oranges, strawberries, rose hips, broccoli. Seems to decrease demands in Glaucoma, slows down degeneration in macular destruction and reduces the risk of cataracts. Vitamin C is an Antioxidant.
Vitamin A found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and liver. Lack of it may be tied to loss of sight, as well as corneal ulcers. Utilize these products to cut down threat of cataracts, and night blindness. Vitamin A is also an Antioxidant. It claimed to further improve night vision.
Vitamin E included with a large number of nuts including; almonds and hazelnuts. Vitamin antioxidants play a role in the reduction of risk for macular deterioration and cataracts.
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The role of Antioxidants
Antioxidants seem to counter the unsightly effects of oxidation on the cells and structure of your eyes. This can be why many nutritional vitamins for eyesight health and supplements have a very positive influence on eye health; they may be abundant in antioxidants together with other ingredients which stop the degeneration of wholesome cells. In eyes much of this oxidation is related to light exposure in the future.

Oxidation causes proteins inside the eyes to clump together in cataracts, as an example, the clumps of proteins cloud on the lens therefore impeding eyesight. The body tries to counter the results of oxidation by producing and utilizing antioxidants such as are normally found within Vitamins E, A and C.

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How to Choose the Perfect Eyeglasses Frame

July 20th, 2011 No comments

A few years down the line and the frames are old and your eyeglasses prescription has changed – it’s time to upgrade your eyeglasses! With today’s large assortment of trendy and unique fashion and designer glasses, the choices are endless and there is a perfect pair out there for everyone.

eyeglass frames

What’s more, now with the possibility of buying eyeglasses online, you no longer need to spend an hour or two at the eyeglasses store being pressured by service agents who want you to make a purchase (and the more you spend, the better their commission). With a computer, the Internet and an online suitable method of payment, such as a credit card or PayPal account, you can take your time and enjoy the search for your new optical accessory via the virtual mirror.

Now for the look: how do you choose a few of the most suitable options to try out when you have so many choices?
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Firstly, think of the material that would best suit your lifestyle and be most comfortable. Plastic frames are multi-colored optical options and allow you to really let loose and go for a funky unique look; while metal frames give off a more classy and sophisticated flare. Titanium, on the other hand, is the new top choice for young boys; sportsmen and very active people, owing to their durability, comfort and flexibility.

Once you’ve decided on that, then the style is next on the list. Rimless; semi-rimless; retro; full framed; cat eye frames and more are just some of the options you have available to you. They each offer a completely different feel and offer the wearer a completely different look. Retro is a very IN style for the moment and geek-chic has also made its appearance in recent months. Fully framed plastic frames are the way to go if you want this look; while subtlety can only be found in rimless or semi-rimless styles.

how to choose the perfect eyeglasses?

Now think of your face shape. If you have a circular or round face, then triangular, rectangular or other distinct angled eye glasses are your best be as they take away from the roundness and make your face appear longer. Square-shaped faces need round, curvy, or cat-eye frames to soften the face; while those with rectangle/oblong faces should not to choose frames which extend past the widest part of their faces. Oval shaped faces get to choose any shaped frame they desire.

For those who have lighter than medium tones, delicate frames and softer colors are best. Those with light skin tones and natural blonds should always think towards pinks and blues but they shouldn’t go near silver tinted glasses. A big, bold, dark frame is the perfect choice for one with dark eye, hair, or skin coloring; while those with medium skin tones can go for any look.

Lastly, one has to think of color as the color of your frames carries symbolism and refers to your personality – even if you don’t mean it too. For example, black gives off a sophisticated and mysterious feel; while light pinks and purples are for innocence and femininity. Blue is a calming color for eyeglasses and red sends off signals of being bold, sexy, powerful and not even slightly timid. Remember that the meaning of colors is cultural, traditional and personal, so choose the one that describes you as you are; or as you wish to be!

Types Of Macular Degenerations

June 21st, 2011 No comments

Macula is the highly light sensitive part of the retina located at the far back of the eye cavity. It enables the sharpest possible vision, and the greatest possible focus in humans when looking straight ahead. While you can still distinguish objects clearly looking sideways, the image will not be as crisp and clear.

It is unclear why macular degenerations happen more frequently than degenerations or diseases in other parts of the retina. It is unclear whether the much higher density of the light receptors, cones and rods, has something to do with it. However, the fact is that the degeneration of the macula is the leading cause of blindness in people over 60 years old, and in one form or another affects more than 10% of the population over 70 years old.

Macula degeneration takes on several possible forms, mostly based on what age the onset of the degeneration starts, and what the microscopic as well as genetic footprints of the disease are. The common symptoms in all of these diseases have to do with distorted central vision – the objects appear blurry, straight lines become wavy, it becomes difficult for one to focus. Also, grey spots may appear in the center of the view. We will enlist the most common types of the degeneration of the macula here, and report on the current status of the availability of the cure and/or treatment.

Juvenile macular degeneration

Also known as juvenile macular dystrophy and Stargardt disease after the ophtalmologist that discovered this disease over a hundred years ago, juvenile macular degeneration usually shows initial signs between the ages of 6 to 20. Microscopically it manifests itself as the lipid (fatty) deposits underneath the protective “RPE” layer in the retina. As the deposits grow, the RPE gets damaged and the nutrients flow to the light receptors above the RPE layer is diminished, and the loss of vision ensues.

There is currently no cure or treatment for this disease. However, embrional stem cell research has been able to discover ways to regenerate sufficient amounts of the RPE layer, which can be surgically implanted to replace the damaged parts of the RPE layer. Clinical studies in humans are underway to confirm that the vision degeneration can be halted through the implantation, and, moreover, that there are no show-stopping side effects such as excessive scarring.

If the clinical trials are successful, the embrional stem cell RPE layer replacement will likely be recommended for people in earlier stages of juvenile macular degeneration, when the RPE layer may be damaged but the light receptors are still functional.

To take the maximum advantage of the procedure, it is advisable to attend genetic counseling to figure out if you have a predisposition for the juvenile macula degeneration. If so, it is important to see an ophthalmologist (the eye doctor) and get diagnosed early.

Dry age-related macular degeneration

Similar to juvenile macular degeneration, dry age-related macular degeneration, or dry AMD, also manifests itself as deposits under the RPE layer in the retina. Dry AMD usually onsets at the advanced age, and is the leading cause of blindness in adults.

There is currently no cure or treatment for dry AMD, however, significant research has been performed over the past 20 years, and a possible treatment, or drug is being produced which will affect and prevent the pathway in which the sub-RPE deposits are created, thereby at least halting the progress of the disease and prevent blindness to progress.

Wet age-related macular degeneration

In wet AMD, blood capillaries from the capillary layer underneath the RPE layer grow through the RPE and embed themselves among the light receptor cells, the cones and the rods. The blood capillaries also burst and create blood deposits that cut the supply of nutrients to the light receptors and cause the deterioration and death of light receptors.

Currently, there are several options to stop the progress of the disease. Some involve a powerful laser that burns away of the blood deposits. Others involve a drug injected in the blood system, and a weak laser activating the drug in the retina. The drug, when activated, is able to seal the leaking capillaries and prevent further build up of blood deposits, thereby halting the progress of the disease. This last treatment is known as photo dynamic therapy.

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