Inflammation is a factor in many eye diseases, and what you eat affects inflammation. Whenever major holidays comes along, we are tempted to eat special foods. Many of these treats are high in calories and sugar, which contribute to inflammation. While you don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun, you can choose to eat foods that are anti-inflammatory. At the end of this article, you will find tips for limiting the damage while still enjoying the holiday. Continue reading “Anti-Inflammatory Vision Diet for the Holidays”
Category: Eye Conditions
Alzheimer’s Disease Indicated in the Eyes
Did you know that certain vision changes can indicate early-stage Alzheimer’s disease? Alzheimer’s is the #3 killer in the United States, right behind cancer and heart disease. Scientists are researching early detection. Catching this disease in its earliest stages opens up potential treatments, before significant brain damage sets in. Treatments for early Alzheimer’s are also being heavily researched. The retina develops from neural tissue, and the entire eye reflects the health of an individual. Therefore, non-invasive screening Continue reading “Alzheimer’s Disease Indicated in the Eyes”
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”
Curcumin for Glaucoma, Uveitis, and Macular Degeneration
Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory spice. Inflammation plays a role in many eye conditions, including uveitis, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. Used for millennia in Indian cooking, curcumin is the main ingredient in turmeric. Turmeric gives mustard its yellow color. When combined with black pepper, this spice is easier to absorb. You can use turmeric in cooking and take it as a supplement.
Uveitis Curcumin Study
Uveitis is inflammation of the uvea, the eye’s middle layer. Symptoms may include redness, floaters, sensitivity to light, Continue reading “Curcumin for Glaucoma, Uveitis, and Macular Degeneration”
How to Give Your Eyes Enough Nutrition
Have 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”
Smart Graphene Contact Lenses for Glaucoma and Diabetes Control
Diabetics and glaucoma patients could start wearing comfortable smart contact lenses to monitor blood sugar and intraocular pressure. Professor Jang-Ung Park and colleagues in South Korea[1. Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST). “‘Smart contact lens sensor’ for diabetic and glaucoma diagnosis.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 May 2017] have solved some of the problems associated with smart contact lenses by using graphene. They recently released a study documenting their breakthrough research. These biosensors may have broad applications for detecting and treating disease.
Why Smart Contact Lenses?
Tears can indicate glucose levels in the body. Insulin-dependent diabetics Continue reading “Smart Graphene Contact Lenses for Glaucoma and Diabetes Control”
Does Glycation Accelerate Ageing?
What is this new buzzword “glycation”? When sugars bind with protein molecules, aging apparently accelerates.
Doctors are starting to offer the hemoglobin A1c blood test to more patients because tissue glycation is suspected of accelerating aging. This simple blood test was typically reserved for diabetics. However, research is pointing to its usefulness for all ageing individuals. The test results are good indicators of poor blood sugar control, disease risk, and longevity.
Glycation is the binding together of sugar and protein molecules. A visible result of glycation is Continue reading “Does Glycation Accelerate Ageing?”
Could Folate Prevent Glaucoma? (Vitamin B9, Folic Acid)
The eye disease glaucoma can be devastating to eyesight, so scientists are looking at risk factors such as folate intake. There are few good therapies once the disease sets in. Vitamins could potentially prevent glaucoma. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at folate intake and the risk of developing open-angle glaucoma, also called “pseudoexfoliation” or “exfoliation syndrome.”
Glaucoma mostly strikes the elderly. In open-angle glaucoma, a part of the eye does not drain correctly. Fluid builds up in the eye, damaging the optic nerve. Fluid pressure builds up in the eye. Glaucoma can Continue reading “Could Folate Prevent Glaucoma? (Vitamin B9, Folic Acid)”
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”