Sleep Deprivation

For my health project, I decided to research sleep deprivation. The effects of sleep deprivation on the human body are unimaginable. Scientists are continuing to learn more about the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation. To learn more about sleep deprivation click on the link below to Auburn Optical's Youtube page to watch the presentation!

Youtube Presentation

Color Blindness

Today, I had the opportunity to research color blindness. Individuals that are color blind, have a different perception of colors. There are three main types of color blindness, based on photo pigment defects in the three different kinds of cones that respond to blue, green, and red light. Red-green color blindness is the most common, followed by blue-yellow color blindness. A complete absence of color vision- total color blindness - is rare. The most common types of color blindness are inherited. They are the result of defects in the genes that contain the instructions for making the photo pigments found in cones. Some defects alter the photo pigment's sensitivity to color. Depending on the type of defect, and the cone that is affected, problems can arise with red, green, or blue color vision. To learn more about color blindness, click on the link below! Information obtained from the National Eye Institute.

Color Blindness

Non-Exudative Macular Degeneration vs. Exudative Macular Degeneration

Today, I had the opportunity to research the difference between Non-Exudative Macular Degeneration vs. Exudative Macular Degeneration. Non-exudative macular degeneration, also known as "dry" age-related macular degeneration, occurs in about 90% of all people with age-related macular degeneration. Dry age-related macular degeneration involves the layers of the macula becoming thinner and decreasing in function. Dry age-related macular degeneration does not involve exuding (leakage) of fluids from the blood vessels.

Exudative Macular Degeneration, also known as "wet" age-related macular degeneration, occurs in about 10% of individuals with age-related macular degeneration. Wet age-related macular degeneration is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels in the choroid layer behind the retina. The new vessels are weak, and they leak fluid, lipids, and blood. The leaking gets into the layers of the retina (including layers of the macula) and can cause scar tissue to form and retinal cells to stop functioning.

To learn more about this topic click on the link below!
Macular Degeneration

Congenital Hypertrophy of the Retinal Pigmented Epithelium

Today, I had the opportunity to research Congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium (CHRPE). CHRPE is usually found before patients reach the age of 30 and may enlarge with time/ There has been an association made between people with Gardner's syndrome and CHRPE. CHRPE lesions are typically solitary, flat, well-demarcated, hyperpigmented lesions of the retina. To learn more about CHRPE, click on the link below!

CHRPE

Cataracts

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to research cataracts. A cataract is the clouding of the lens in the eye. Cataracts can drastically affect your vision and more than half of all Americans by the age of 80, have cataracts or have had cataract surgery. To learn more about cataract surgery, click on the link below to watch my presentation or the other link to look at the power point I created.

Cataract Presentation

Cataract Power Point

Glaucoma

Today, I had the opportunity to research Glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye condition usually related to increased eye pressure that damages your optic nerve. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in individuals over the age of 60 and is often hereditary. To learn more about Glaucoma click on the link below!

Glaucoma

Diabetic Retinopathy

A complication of diabetes that affects the eyes is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina (the back of the eye). Diabetic retinopathy will mostly likely affect both of your eyes. This condition can develop for any person that has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer that you have diabetes paired with less controlled blood sugar, the more likely you are to get this condition. To read more on the research that I did on Diabetic Retinopathy, click on the link below!

Diabetic Retinopathy