Senior Spectrum
Newspaper
January 2012
Our Other Publications
Generation Boomer
Magazine
on-line
Golden Pages
Directory
Vision - Ophthalmology
Eating Disorder Affects Eyes
A new small study demonstrates that those suffering from the eating disorder “anorexia nervosa” may be at risk for eye damage that can be potentially quite serious. Specifically, researchers found that women with an average age of 28 who had anorexia nervosa for an average of ten years displayed central portions of their retinas (known as the macula) and the nerve fibers leading to it (retinal nerve fibers) were thinner than those of control subjects. The anorexia patients also showed significantly less working of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which figures prominently in the brain’s ability to process visual images. It is yet to be determined if these conditions will return to normal if regular eating habits are resumed.
It should be noted -- the study mentioned above also found that the fovea (the part of the macula that is rich in lightsensitive photoreceptors) was thinner in women who binged and purged than in those who only severely restricted their calorie consumption.
If you would like further information or an appointment, please call (775) 882- 2988. Dr. Fischer is located at 3839 N. Carson Street, in Carson City. Hours are 8-5 p.m., Monday through Friday by appointment.