Diabetic Retinopathy, Sugar Balance and Retinal Support

Diabetic Retinopathy, Sugar Balance and Retinal SupportDiabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness among adults. Poor blood sugar balance can damage nerves, so nerve support is crucial for people with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition stemming primarily from imbalances in blood sugar levels. When blood sugar is not properly managed, the body’s delicate nerve tissues, including the retina, can be injured.

At Natural Eye Care, we have examined the research on nutrients that help protect the eye, including the retina and blood flow to the eye. Research has identified oxidative stress and inflammation as key contributors to the onset and development of numerous eye conditions.[1.Levkovitch-Verbin, H. (2015). Retinal ganglion cell apoptotic pathway in glaucoma: Initiating and downstream mechanisms. Prog. Brain Res, 220:37–57.] [2.Kowluru, R.A., Mishra, M. (2015). Oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and diabetic retinopathy. Biochem. Biophys. Acta. 1852:2474–2483.] [3.Dib, B., Lin, H., Maidana, D.E., Tian, B., Miller, J.B., et al. (2015). Mitochondrial DNA has a pro-inflammatory role in AMD. Biochem Biophys Acta, 1853:2897–2906.] These conditions include macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, macular edema, and diabetic retinopathy. Without intervention, these eye diseases can result in a gradual decline in vision, potentially leading to blindness. Studies suggest that incorporating specific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients may be beneficial in preventing and managing these eye disorders.[4.Rhone, M., Basu, A. (2008). Phytochemicals and age-related eye diseases. Nutr Rev, 66:465–472.]

Continue reading “Diabetic Retinopathy, Sugar Balance and Retinal Support”

Cataracts and Antioxidants

cataract needs antioxidantsCataracts are a condition where the lens of the eye becomes cloudy. They are common among seniors. Symptoms include:

  • cloudy, blurry, foggy, or filmy vision
  • difficulty seeing at night, especially when driving
  • bright sunlight, headlights, and lights may cause a glare or halo
  • colors may appear faded, muted, or yellowed

Cataracts in seniors are often caused by a lifetime of exposure to free radicals. Long-term exposure to sunlight accelerates, which is called glycation, which is the binding of sugar and protein molecules. Over time, glycation breaks down the structure of the lens. Continue reading “Cataracts and Antioxidants”

New Homeopathic Eye Drops: Dryness, Redness, and Digital Eye Strain

Sunnie Dry Eye DropsHomeopathic eye drops are in high demand among people experiencing dry eye, redness, and digital eye strain. At Natural Eye Care, we are excited to announce that our website offers a new line of homeopathic eye drops from Sunnie. Several of our flagship eye drops for these issues are no longer available, but Sunnie has stepped in with these safe remedies.

Homeopathy is a natural form of medicine that uses highly diluted substances to stimulate the body’s healing processes. It’s based on the principle that ‘like treats like.’ These innovative products are a testament to our commitment to providing natural and effective solutions for your eye care needs. Continue reading “New Homeopathic Eye Drops: Dryness, Redness, and Digital Eye Strain”

Eye Floaters in the Vitreous: A Guide by Natural Eye Care

vitreous floatersHave you ever noticed specks or clouds in your field of vision? They are most likely eye floaters. Floaters can look like cobwebs, blobs, dots, or little insects that float around. Eye floaters can be semi-transparent or darker. If you have them, they are more noticeable in certain lighting conditions, such as bright sunlight. You might not notice them at all unless you are looking for them. Continue reading “Eye Floaters in the Vitreous: A Guide by Natural Eye Care”

Can You Prevent or Reverse Cataracts?

prevent cataractsIs it possible to prevent cataracts, or even reverse cataracts? Can you put off cataracts surgery? Cataracts are one of the most common eye diseases in seniors. More and more people have a special “glint” in their eye when the light hits the lens just right. What is the value of preventing cataracts and other eye diseases? Continue reading “Can You Prevent or Reverse Cataracts?”

Macular Edema: A Complete Overview by Natural Eye Care

macular edema in the elderlyMacular edema is a swelling of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision. When fluid builds up in the macula, it becomes swollen and thicker. This distorts vision. There are several causes, including diabetic retinopathy, post-eye surgery complications, macular degeneration, injury, systemic inflammatory diseases that can affect the eye, and/or vein blockages. If an eye disease causes damage to blood vessels in the retina, it can cause macular edema. Left untreated, this problem can cause serious vision loss and even blindness.

An eye doctor will direct your care should macular Continue reading “Macular Edema: A Complete Overview by Natural Eye Care”

Lenses with Cataract Regenerated Using Stem Cells

eyeball normal vs cataract lensA breakthrough operation has regenerated the lenses of 12 children using stem cells. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens that typically occurs in the elderly. It is the leading cause of blindness (left untreated).

Standard treatment of cataracts is inserting an artificial intraocular lens. However, this requires waiting until the cataracts “ripen”, or cataract surgery is often recommended Continue reading “Lenses with Cataract Regenerated Using Stem Cells”

Sun Protection for the Eyes: Prevent Eye Injuries, Cataracts, ARMD, Surfer’s Eye

sun protection glasses hat sunscreenThe sun sustains life, but it also can harm our eyes. Unsafe sun exposure causes or may contribute to several eye conditions and diseases. It can also cause eye injuries. Earth’s ozone layer absorbs most of the ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun, but chemicals have damaged it. Therefore, we must take extra precautions to prevent cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, ocular melanoma (eye cancer), and eye injuries such as pterygium (Surfer’s Eye), photokeratitis (snow blindness), and flash blindness. The sun is also a driving hazard when low on the horizon.

The body contains its own “sunscreen,” which is melanin. Dark-skinned people have more melanin and Continue reading “Sun Protection for the Eyes: Prevent Eye Injuries, Cataracts, ARMD, Surfer’s Eye”

Warning for Macular Degeneration Patients Who Undergo Cataract Surgery

Macular Degeneration & Cataract Surgery
image via www.ihs.gov

Eye disease and aging generally go hand-in-hand.  That means that more people are likely to need surgery for cataracts, but that also means that those same patients are likely to suffer from other conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.  According to the OSN Supersite, this changes the ways that doctors counsel their patients and how they proceed with treatment plans, especially in relation to cataract surgery.

Some sources say that the risk of AMD decreases after one undergoes cataract surgery, but no conclusive scientific studies on the topic have yet been published.

Avoid Multifocal IOL Implants

According to Rosa Braga-Mele, MD, FRCSC, OSN Cataract Surgery Section Editor, people with AMD should probably avoid multifocal IOL implants (lenses intended to help you live without glasses because nearsightedness and farsightedness are meant to be corrected).  Dr. Braga-Mele says that these lenses are not ideal for cataract surgery patients with AMD “because of the fact that contrast sensitivity is decreased with a multifocal implant and contrast sensitivity is already decreased” when people have macular degeneration.  Source: “Cataract surgery with comorbidities requires careful surgical management” at osnsupersite.com.

Manage Your AMD

It is especially important that those who suffer from cataracts as well as macular degeneration manage their AMD.  Take natural approaches to preventing the deterioration of your sight due to AMD by eating well, wearing UV protection sunglasses, reducing stress, and taking high quality supplements as described in our “self-help” protocol.

 

Cataract Surgery Not Linked to Increased Age-Related Macular Degeneration

cataract surgery lens replacementA large study has found no association between prior cataracts surgery and the development of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).[1. Association between Previous Cataract Surgery and Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Taylor & Francis. Rim, Tyler Hyungtaek; Lee, Christopher Seungkyu; Chul Lee, Sung; Kim, Sangah; Kim, Sung Soo; Society, Epidemiologic Survey Committee of the Korean Ophthalmological Retrieved: 16 24, May 05, 2016 (GMT)] This study supports the long-term safety and low possibility of side-effects from replacing a cataract-damaged lens with an artificial lens.

Both cataracts and ARMD are eye diseases associated with Continue reading “Cataract Surgery Not Linked to Increased Age-Related Macular Degeneration”