The eyes are small, but they have many parts including the eyelids, sclera, cornea, lens, optic nerve and retina. We depend heavily on our vision. When something goes wrong, the eyes are disproportionately affected. For example, a senior at risk of heart disease is also at risk of an ocular arterial or vein occlusion. Also, the macula requires a yellow-colored nutrient (lutein and zeaxanthin) found in certain vegetables such as green leafy vegetables, red, yellow and green peppers, corn and eggs. And antioxidants found in fresh fruits and vegetables have been shown to reduce oxidative eye damage and eye disease. Continue reading “Which Parts of the Eyes Are Associated with Which Eye Diseases?”
Category: Dry Eyes
Dry Eyes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture
Dry eye is a common complaint at the optometrist’s office.
Symptoms include dry, itchy, eyes. Causes of dry eye are diverse. Sometimes the root cause is treatable, and sometimes only the symptoms can be managed. However, dry eye syndrome is not new. Neither is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), an ancient system of healthcare that dates back thousands of years. TCM has techniques for addressing the complete spectrum of human wellness, including dry eye syndrome. Continue reading “Dry Eyes, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture”
How to Improve Your Vision Health
People who have advanced eye disease have waited too long to improve their vision health. Keeping the eyes health is a lifetime endeavor. An unhealthy lifestyle and poor nutrition lead to a higher risk of eye diseases. Researchers have linked cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, optic neuropathy, retinal vein occlusions, and other eye conditions to mostly-controllable risk factors. Seniors are especially at risk. Natural Eye Care offers this guide to improving vision health. Continue reading “How to Improve Your Vision Health”
Protect Your Eyes During Dry, Windy Weather
You need to protect your eyes when the weather is dry or windy. During the colder seasons, relative humidity indoors is low. Outdoors, wind can blow dust, pollution, ice and snow. Find out how to protect yourself from dry eyes, allergens, irritation, and injury.
Dry Eye from Low Indoor Humidity
Dry eye is a common eye complaint. The eyes may feel itchy, burning, irritated, sore or gritty.
The tear film has three layers: a thin mucus layer, Continue reading “Protect Your Eyes During Dry, Windy Weather”
Vascular Support Packages 1 and 2 for Retinal Support and Eye Circulation
The eye has a delicate vascular system. Eye circulation brings oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. It also removes waste products. The “choroid” is the part of the eye that circulates blood. Fats and blood clots that damage the arteries can also clog the arteries and veins in the eyes. This condition is common as people age. Poor circulation is associated with many eye diseases:
- Retinal vein occlusion is a sudden blockage that can cause serious, permanent eye damage.
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration patients have thinner choroids (thinning of the retina) – often due to lack of essential nutrients reaching the retina.
- If the choroid does not have enough oxygen, new blood vessels can form. These blood vessels unfortunately are of poor quality and often leak blood and fluids in the retina, which can result in severe vision loss (“wet” macular degeneration or choroidal neovascularization) if not treated (common treatment is an injection of either Lucentis, Avastin or EyLea to dry up the blood vessels and reduce related inflammation).
Additionally, diabetes can lead to an Continue reading “Vascular Support Packages 1 and 2 for Retinal Support and Eye Circulation”
Two Eye Washes for Irritated Eyes
Eye washes provide natural relief for irritated, inflamed eyes. Natural Eye Care recommends eye washes for a wide variety of eye conditions. Good lid hygiene can both soothe and prevent eye irritation.
Eye irritation can be caused by conjunctivitis, bacterial or viral infections, dry eyes, hormonal changes, allergies, drug side-effects, dehydration, excessive screen time, Continue reading “Two Eye Washes for Irritated Eyes”
Smartphone Safety for Better Sleep – Prevent Eye Damage and Eye Disease
Smartphones can damage the eyes and cause disturbed sleep. Therefore, Natural Eye Care has issued safety guidelines for smartphones. We have summarized research on how smartphone misuse could contribute to the onset of serious eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. Eye strain and discomfort from improper smartphone habits create unnecessary suffering. Night time smartphone use leads to poor sleep.
However, there is much you can do to prevent problems from smartphones. At the end of this article, you will find suggestions for how to use smartphones without damaging your eyes. Continue reading “Smartphone Safety for Better Sleep – Prevent Eye Damage and Eye Disease”
Outdoor Activities Associated with Eye Disease
Sunlight is critical for overall well-being. Through an intricate process it enables the body to produce essential vitamin D. We only need 20 minutes of sunlight a day. But sunlight also contains UV radiation.
Unprotected over exposure to sunlight can eventually result in oxidative damage to the retina and other eye tissue such as the eye lens and sclera causing many eye problems as well as skin cancer. You can help protect your eyes by wearing 100% UVA/UVB protecting sunglasses when outside (particularly wraparound glasses with amber or brown lenses that are polarized to reduce glare). Continue reading “Outdoor Activities Associated with Eye Disease”
“Smoking Causes Blindness” on Australian Cigarette Packets
Smoking damages the entire body, including the eyes. The Australian government has introduced harsh laws to discourage the addictive habit. Cigarette packaging is plain, featuring gruesome color photos and statements such as “Smoking Causes Blindness.” What are Australia’s anti-smoking laws, and will they work? How does smoking cause blindness?
Smokers have a significantly higher chance of developing heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, macular degeneration, cataracts, and glaucoma. Smoking during Continue reading ““Smoking Causes Blindness” on Australian Cigarette Packets”
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Dry Eye Syndrome in Study
A strong study in the International Journal of Ophthalmology found that omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced dry eyes. Dry eye syndrome is becoming more prevalent in the West from extended close-up work on computers and phone screens. The condition can also be caused by an autoimmune disorder; it can accompany menopause; and it can have other causes. Symptoms include burning, dryness, irritation, a feeling of grit, and difficulty reading for extended periods.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in highest quantity in Continue reading “Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Dry Eye Syndrome in Study”