What Are Macular Holes And Can They Heal Naturally?

senior citizen has a macular hole The macula, located at the center of the retina, plays a vital role in providing sharp, central vision necessary for tasks like reading, driving, and perceiving fine details. However, when a hole forms in the macula, it can lead to central vision becoming distorted, darkened, or even lost over time if left untreated. In the United States, macular holes are relatively rare, with a prevalence of approximately 0.33% among individuals over the age of 55. The condition becomes more common as patients enter their 70s. Continue reading “What Are Macular Holes And Can They Heal Naturally?”

Staying Hydrated for Better Health and Wellness

Senior Staying Hydrated by drinking waterStaying hydrated is an essential part of maintaining health. Drinking healthy fluids throughout the day helps the body detoxify and is critical in maintaining temperature control and proper blood viscosity. Seniors, in particular, generally do not drink enough water.

Why are we told to stay hydrated for our health? At Natural Eye Care, we care about the eyes and the body. Thus, keeping the body’s fluid balance is part of maintaining vision health. While 60% of the human body is composed of water, the eye is 98% water. Dehydration impairs the functioning of all systems in the body. Overhydration is also dangerous. In this article, we discuss the benefits of hydration, the deleterious effects of chronic dehydration, and how much water you need to drink. Continue reading “Staying Hydrated for Better Health and Wellness”

Herbs that Fight Abnormal Microbleeding in Macular Degeneration & Diabetic Eye Disease

retinal bleeding from diabetic retinopathy or macular degenerationMacular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy have something in common. Although the indirect causes may be different, a consequence of untreated AMD or untreated diabetes is similar. Untreated, both conditions may result in macular microbleeding, in which abnormal capillaries develop (angiogenesis) that leak fluid or blood into the retina. A holistic approach may reduce the risk of the development of abnormal blood vessels bleeding into the retina and destroying vision

Why Angiogenesis is a Problem

Let’s consider dry and wet (advanced) macular degeneration. AMD is basically a form of “starvation of the retina,” particularly the age-related form, in which essential nutrients are not reaching their target. Insufficient delivery can be due to some combination of a poor diet, lack of exercise, issues with absorption, poor circulation, candida, or chronic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Since the function of blood is to deliver oxygen and nutrients, one might reasonably think that growing new blood vessels would improve the ‘starvation’ issue, and that would be the intention of angiogenesis, but it’s not quite that simple. Angiogenesis occurs in an effort to deliver deficient nutrients to the retina, but unfortunately, these blood vessels are poor in quality and end up leaking. They also distort the delicate structure of the macula.

Continue reading “Herbs that Fight Abnormal Microbleeding in Macular Degeneration & Diabetic Eye Disease”

How to Give Your Eyes Enough Nutrition

poor nutrition burger fries sodaHave you ever heard that your eyes need plenty of nutrition? It’s true, and research backs this up. But did you know that the Standard American Diet tends to be very low in some eye-essential nutrients? The eyes are the second most physiologically active part of our body (#1 is the brain). At Natural Eye Care, we believe the eyes require approximately 25% of the nutrients we take into our body, if we eat a healthy diet. Even though most Americans consume enough calories, we may still have poor nutrition for the eyes. No wonder Macular Degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, optic nerve Continue reading “How to Give Your Eyes Enough Nutrition”

Macular Holes and Macular Puckers Most Common Over Age 60

eye exam elderlyThe macula is a part of the eye crucial to good vision, but as we age, it can be damaged by macular holes and macular puckers. What are the symptoms, and what are the approaches to treating and preventing these problems?

Let’s start by asking, what is the macula? The macula is the central part of the retina. It is yellowish in color. It is the part of the retina that creates clear, sharp, focused vision. And it is the part of the retina most heavily populated with cones, the type of eye cell that allows us to see in color. The retina is a thin layer at the back of the eye. It is where the lens of the eye focuses Continue reading “Macular Holes and Macular Puckers Most Common Over Age 60”