DHA Supports Healthy Fetal Development

DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body. This essential nutrient supports optimal visual, nervous system and brain development in the fetus. It is important for pregnant women to supplement with a high quality fish oil (or through an algae supplement if vegetarian) as developing infants cannot efficiently produce their own DHA. Babies must obtain this vital nutrient. The fetus gets DHA through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk after birth.

Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, DHA) is a highly unsaturated omega-3 fatty acid that forms part of the central nervous and visual system structures. DHA is synthesized from its precursor, alfa-linolenic acid, that is also a omega-3 fatty acid and can be obtained from vegetable oils. marine organisms, specially fish, are good nutritional sources of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), another omega-3 fatty acid that has a role in vascular homeostasis.

DHA increases membrane fluidity, improving neurogenesis, synaptogenesis and the activity of retinal photoreceptors. The fetus, specially during the last trimester of pregnancy, has high DHA requirements. It is provided by the mother, since fetal DHA synthesis is negligible in this stage of development. Breast feeding provides DHA to the child, but most replacement artificial formulas do not provide this fatty acid. At the present moment, many products for infant nutrition contain DHA.
Ref: PMID:11775350[PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

Editor’s Note: DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body. This essential nutrient supports optimal visual, nervous system and brain development in the fetus. It is important for pregnant women to supplement with a high quality fish oil (or through an algae supplement if vegetarian) as developing infants cannot efficiently produce their own DHA. Babies must obtain this vital nutrient. The fetus gets DHA through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk after birth.

 

Teen Myopia Increase Blamed on Electronics and Screens

teen myopia electronics screenSmartphones, computers, tablets, and televisions are being blamed for a sharp increase in teenagers’ need for eyeglasses in the United Kingdom. The number of teens who need glasses nearly doubled, from 20% in 2012 to 35% in just four years later.[1. Scrivens Opticians report, 2019] Myopia was the diagnosis for 66% of these teens. Myopia, or nearsightedness, makes distant objects look blurry. Excessive up-close focusing is a risk factor for developing myopia. Continue reading “Teen Myopia Increase Blamed on Electronics and Screens”

Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life

How can you save your vision regardless of your age? Eye disease is prevalent in seniors; however, people of all ages can take steps to protect their eyes. Here is Natural Eye Care’s guide to preserving the precious gift of sight.

At All Ages

Wear Sunglasses: The earth’s atmosphere has thinned, exposing our eyes to more ultraviolet light whenever we are outdoors. Wear 100% UVA/UVB protecting sunglasses when you are outside in the Continue reading “Save Your Vision at All Stages in Life”

Protective Eyewear for Sports: Prevent Eye Injuries

protective sport eyewearAlmost everyone who plays sports is at risk of eye injury. From a flying puck in hockey to an eye poke in wrestling, all types of sports can result in eye injuries. Even the mild game of golf has a hidden hazard: the sun. Protective eyewear prevents most types of eye injury. Continue reading “Protective Eyewear for Sports: Prevent Eye Injuries”

Outdoors Activity and Sunlight May Protect Against Myopia

sunlight and visionMyopia, or nearsightedness, is a common vision problem. Evidence is starting to show that sunlight has special properties beneficial to vision health. Specifically, exposure to sunshine reduces the risk of developing nearsightedness at all ages. The quality of artificial light and nutrition also play roles. The world’s most natural remedy is sunlight. Find out how much you need to stay healthy. Continue reading “Outdoors Activity and Sunlight May Protect Against Myopia”

Gestational Eye Development Requires Light

baby and fetal eye developmentThe developing pre-natal eye requires light that passes through the body and into the womb, according to recent animal research. Mice that had no access to light during pregnancy gave birth to offspring whose eyes were not developed correctly. This indicated that small amounts of light are necessary, during gestation, to control eye blood vessel growth.

This research is considered to be a breakthrough, and scientists were surprised because until now, maternal exposure to light during pregnancy was not considered relevant to fetal development.
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Congenital Cataract Can Lead to Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)

Young girl with lazy eye - amblyopiaA cataract is defined as  a clouding of the lens of the eye that is usually associated with aging. However, approximately 1 in 250 newborns in the US have a cataract on at least one eye at birth, or develop a cataract soon after they are born. While many cases of congenital cataracts are detected and treated quickly, it is estimated that up to 1/3rd of older children diagnosed with a cataract had it at undetected at birth. Early treatment is crucial for the brain to develop normally, and to prevent lazy eye (amblyopia) and other vision problems.

The reasons for congenital cataracts in newborns may include infection (especially measles during pregnancy), genetics, metabolic problems, inflammation, diabetes, trauma or reactions to drugs. Common tetracycline antibiotics taken during pregnancy can cause cataracts in the developing baby. Older children can get pediatric cataracts for reasons comparable to the ones above; eye injuries such as a blow to the eye are more typically the cause, associated with 40% of pediatric cataracts cases.

Continue reading “Congenital Cataract Can Lead to Lazy Eye (Amblyopia)”

Most School Children’s Eye Injuries Are Sports Related

basketball requires eye protectionDid you know that the leading cause of blindness in children is eye inquires, and that most eye injuries in schoolchildren are sports-related? According to The National Eye Institute, the damage from eye injuries can be temporary or, or they can lead to permanent loss of vision.

School children eye injury statistics:

  • Most eye injuries in school-aged children are from sports.
  • Baseball players under age 15 get the most sports-related eye injuries.
  • Basketball records the most eye injuries in young adults aged 15 through 24.

Eye protection is key to preventing sports-related eye injuries. The non-profit organization Prevent Blindness America has named September as Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month.

Continue reading “Most School Children’s Eye Injuries Are Sports Related”

Nearsightedness on the rise in Asia, Chinese Saccades

asian student wears glasses for myopiaChildren are under a great deal of pressure to excel in their studies in Southeast Asia, and a new study in The Lancet shows they may by paying the price by damaging their eyes. Myopia, or nearsightedness, used to have a rate of 20% to 30% on average in Southeast Asia. A recent study put that number at more than 80% in young adults.

School is very competitive, and many students spend most of their time indoors studying and taking classes. They do not receive sufficient amounts of outdoor light to counter-act their indoor eye use.

Continue reading “Nearsightedness on the rise in Asia, Chinese Saccades”