EYE NUTRITION

Take a shower, vitamins/minerals every day, routinely use skin care products, regularly brush your teeth—GREAT!

Well, what do you routinely do for your eyes? How easy it is to take our vision for granted. The fact is, there is a lot we can do for the continued and long term health of our eyes. One of the most important things you can do is have regular check-ups, at least once a year. And, what you do for your body in between examinations, can have as great an impact upon your long term eye health.

In truth, there is almost nothing affecting our body that doesn't affect the eyes. Most eye problems are a result of vascular or digestive dysfunction, malabsorption, allergic response or malnutrition, or manifestations of a systemic disease process. Cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye all fall into this category. These diseases can be prevented and often treated holistically, both before and after their initial manifestation and diagnosis. Changes in daily dietary habits can arrest or even reverse these processes.

A change in lifestyle, exercise, diet and a supplemental vitamin(s) and/or herb is essential to maintaining healthy vision. When dealing with diet, keep in mind how much seeing colors pleases you. Apply the same visual enjoyment to your fruits and vegetables. Eat a rainbow of colored salads and fruits everyday. Supplemental vitamins have also been shown to promote healthy vision. Vitamins A and C are probably best known for this. They are both antioxidants and positively impact vision health at many levels such as night vision, double vision, tear generation and more. Vitamin E is used in treating dry eye and is also extremely important in maintaining normal structure and function of the eye.
The B vitamin family is also very important. In the mineral family, calcium, magnesium, zinc, manganese and chromium have been shown to benefit the eyes by strengthening and toning eye tissues. Herbs For The Eyes—YES! Eyebright and bilberry are considered to be beneficial to the eyes, as is Ginkgo biloba.

Our lifestyle, what we eat, the supplements we take and the rest we give our eyes EACH and EVERY day can dramatically effect the eyes, the way they function, how well they perform and how long they efficiently and effectively serve us.

PROTECT YOUR EYES FROM ULTRA VIOLET (UV) RAYS

Most people realize excessive sun can cause skin cancer, but are not as aware that excessive exposure to UV rays can cause permanent damage to the eyes. UV radiation (both UV-A and UV-B) in sunlight has been shown to be both harmful and destructive to the eye. Unprotected exposure of the eyes to sunlight can cause either short term or long term eye damage. Long hours of exposure at the beach or on the ski slopes can cause sunburn to the cornea and, while not permanent, is extremely painful and can result in temporary vision loss. A more serious condition related to UV exposure is benign tissue growth (Pterygium) that starts in the white of the eye and may even spread to the cornea. This condition can require surgical removal if it blocks the vision. The greatest risk for this condition is caused by excessive sun and wind exposure to athletes and those who continually work outdoors.

And there’s more! A significant risk factor in cataract is from continued long term exposure to UV rays. Cataract is the most prevalent age-related eye disease in the world, and the leading cause of blindness. There are nearly 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older with cataract. Constant exposure to bright sunlight can damage the cornea (the clear outer part of the eye that allows lights through to the retina), the lens (the part of the eye responsible for focusing), and the retina (the innermost layer of the eye that sends an image to the brain).

The risk of exposure to harmful UV exposure is greatest at midday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and especially during the summer months.

Certainly some professions and certain climates and elevations create situations of greater risk; however, the best defense for everyone under these circumstances is to wear sunglasses that screen 99 to 100 percent of UV rays. Brimmed hats that shade the face also offer protection from direct exposure. It is also very important to protect children's sight from the damaging effects of the sun - choosing unbreakable, well-fitted sunglasses and a hat that shades the face is the best way.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease where the body can’t use or store sugar properly. When the body’s bloods sugar levels get to high they can cause damage to the blood vessels in your eyes which can lead to diabetic retinopathy. This disease is often insidious and can develop slowly over time and often go unnoticed. In its later stages it can cause new blood vessel growth over the retina causing scar tissue and retinal detachment which can result in blindness. If the blood vessels grow on the iris, this can lead to glaucoma. Floaters and/or blind spots in the vision field can be a sign of diabetic retinopathy, as can difficulty reading or doing close work, and, still another sign is double vision. Or, there may be no noticeable signs at all.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 95% of those with significant diabetic retinopathy can avoid vision loss if they are treated early. This is why it is so very important for a diabetic to have yearly eye exams. However, studies show that people with diabetes who maintain their blood sugar at normal levels slow both the onset and progression of the impact upon the eyes and lessen the need for laser surgery and vision loss.

If you are a person with diabetes, you can help prevent diabetic retinopathy, and even minimize the diseases progression and impact upon glaucoma and cataracts as well. Taking your prescribed medication as instructed, sticking to any recommended diet, exercising regularly, controlling high blood pressure and avoiding both alcohol and smoking, AND, having YEARLY Eye Examinations will help you maintain a healthy body and healthy vision.